#Surf and Tail AU

[thelastspeecher]

@elishevart

Okay wait I actually love that!

There is an egg that is laid, but unlike in my usual mer AUs, the egg doesn't get bigger after being laid, so the baby mer has to grow outside of the egg for a while before reaching proper baby development.

I'll say that even in human form, it's a pouch, which, like the gills, can be seen if looked for (Angie spots hers at some point and wonders what it is). So it's the same thing regardless of what form is being taken. In mer form and human form, it looks like a pregnant belly, but in fish form it doesn't really look like that, since, well, they're fish.

I love the idea of both male and female merfolk having the pouch. But maybe it's almost a seahorse situation. Where regardless of sex, the baby mer while get nutrients. As long as the baby is in the pouch, there's some way for the baby to feed. With marsupials, there are teats in the pouch for the baby to nurse from, so perhaps something roughly equivalent for the mers.

And I'll go a step further and say that the baby mer can even get nutrients from a pouch that isn't their parents'. So Ford steps in a few times when Stan and Angie need a break.

I'm tempted go another step further and have the mers able to produce nutrients from their chests regardless of sex. And thus the baby once it's big enough to leave the pouch can still be fed by either parent. Truly equal parenting.

And as for Stan acting like he's gained sympathy weight when he's human mode carrying the baby - YES. Angie mentions it as something that can happen with humans and Stan's like "humans are so weird, but that sounds like a perfect excuse for me to use".

Luckily, since Angie is clearly thrown off and confused by the egg she lays, Stan and Ford realize that human reproduction must be different, and give her a quick lesson so that she knows what to expect when the egg hatches.

Angie is incredibly weirded out by all of this. Ford asks her why. He knows her curious scientific mind and would have thought she'd be fascinated by it. And Angie's like "well, yeah, I might be if it wasn't happening to me..."

[whathorselegs]

Skk mermaid AU, where Dazai's the human who meets Chuuya the merman.

Chuuya has this long, almost eel-like tail. He has huge fins and spines reminiscent of the lionfish. In the water he commands so much space, his fins fanning and tail dancing in the current. He rarely rests on land because he struggles to keep his fins from getting everywhere.

Dazai usually takes his boat out to the water to see him, only occasionally will Chuuya come to the shallows, but even then he keeps most of his body in the water. Dazai is used to thinking of Chuuya as this great sea serpent instead of a merperson, because sometimes it looks like Chuuya's tail never ends when he circles around Dazai in the water.

It is a common myth that merfolk can grow legs and walk on land if they wish too and Dazai is always trying to convince Chuuya to come on land, telling him stories of all the things he'll show him beyond the beaches. Chuuya denies this myth adamantly.

But as time goes on, Chuuya's curiosity gets the better of him and he finally agrees.

The next morning Dazai is waiting by the surf, with a towel and clothes, just like they agreed. He's brought wild flowers from the fields, corny, but Chuuya is always so fascinated with the gifts from land that Dazai brings him. Excitement is bubbling in him, despite the long hours he'd told himself to be nonchalant the night before.

And then he sees Chuuya emerging from the water. A little unsteady on his new legs, the gentle waves making him unbalanced as he walks.

Dazai thinks he's further away than he his, but then Chuuya is in front of him far quicker than Dazai expected him to be. And what should have been this magical moment is ruined by Dazai bursting out laughing.

Because his great beast of the sea, his serpent with the tail that goes on forever, is a full head's height shorter than him.

[francixoxoxo]

𓆉 Opals and Pearls 𓆝

Pirate!Billy the Kid x Mermaid!reader

𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐦— 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬!

I wanted to put out something short and sweet to introduce my pirate/mermaid au for Billy the Kid!! I’ll definitely be writing more for this and eventually putting out a long form fic for ao3 and here on tumblr so stay tuned

You had Billy entranced since the moment you met.

Your eyes shone and glimmered in the light like opals, you moved and spoke in a way he’d never seen before. Your hair fell over your shoulders, thick and voluminous despite being wet, covering your ever-bare breasts. You wore little jewelry, but what did adorn your neck and wrists was made of pearls that added, not distracted from your impossible beauty.

Not to mention your lower half, a tail of iridescent scales that caught the light in ways reminiscent of stained glass in a church. Meeting you certainly felt like Sunday mass— you made him want to fall to his knees and worship you. You were perfect.

Billy met you at night, under the cover of darkness on the shore, where you lay with your belly in the surf. The way your eyes brightened as he came close made his heart swell to burst. “Hi.” You had your hands clasped on your chest, hiding something from him.

He had a few guesses as to what it was, as he shrugged off his boots, rolling his pants up to his shins and wading ankle-deep in the water. “Hey, darlin’.”

Sometimes Billy wondered how such an ethereal woman, a mermaid could find him interesting. For Christ’s sakes, you had the voice and heart of an angel. You were so esoteric, so mystical. If the ocean was a woman, you were her— incomprehensibly deep, he’d be a fool to try and understand every corner or curve of you. He was just a man.

But that seemed to be what you loved about him; there was a calming, rugged simplicity in him. A humbleness you wanted to appreciate with your whole soul. He adored you with no expectations. His love was not debt.

Billy sat on the damp sand, not minding his pants getting wet from the small, lapping waves. You had the giddiest smile on your face, crinkling your eyes and absolutely enthralling him. Perhaps it was your inhuman nature, something special about your being, but you drew him in like a sunfish on a hook. He regretted his silly human need to breathe— otherwise, he would happily let you drag him to the bottom of the sea if it meant he could be with you. Really, truly be with you. No fears of Jesse and the rest of the crew finding out and harming you. No fears of your parents discovering Billy and your meetings, and never allowing you to the surface again. Fears of this strangely beautiful connection being ripped from him, where it had already nestled itself a home in his heart.

But he would settle for this, only for the glimmer in your eyes and smile on your cheeks as you opened your hands. “For you!” Billy leaned over his knees, his lopsided grin growing to match yours.

In the center of your palm, the smallest of shells, a soft cream dappled with brown at the creases. “F’me?” Billy couldn’t help laughing the words, gently turning over the shell in your hand to find that the inside of it was a smooth lavender. Beautiful and delicately intricate— not unlike you. You hummed softly, the sound a song of itself, pressing the dainty shell to his own calloused palm.

“Do you like it?” Your brows drew together hopefully as you watched him inspect the shell. Billy snorted through his nose, shaking his head and looking up to meet your gaze.

“It’s beautiful.” He confirmed softly, “ain’t surprised you found it. Beauty knows beauty.” The way your nearly luminous eyes twinkled at the compliment, Billy felt a bit weak at the knees. You pushed yourself onto your hands, folding your tail under you and leaning forward to press a tender kiss to his slightly chapped lips.

You tasted like crisp saltwater, a stark contrast from your soft, surprisingly warm lips. When you broke from him, far too soon for his liking, you carefully took his fingers and curled them protectively over the shell. “Could I get you more?”

As if you even had to ask. Billy tucked some water-logged hair behind your ear, silently admiring the dainty pearl earring the action revealed. “You kiddin’? I’d love more, baby.”

Well, he’s not sure what he expected. Maybe a couple more before you got tired of it.

Billy didn’t expect that every time he met you, regretfully always in the dark, you bore gifts that he didn’t know how to repay. Billy’d scoop you into his arms, treading along the shore to give you a taste of what walking around must be like, and you’d lift a palm full of little shells, sea glass and pearls.

Once, you’d swam up to him as he sat on the rocks. Billy cocked a brow, eyes glancing under the water, “Whatcha got there, pretty girl?” And you’d smile shyly, swimming closer.

“Close your eyes, Billy.” You willed, taking his hands from his knees and moving them to cup to receive the gift. He was grinning boyishly, dark brows lifted as you placed something much heavier than he expected into his hands. Well, not particularly weighty, but much more than the few pearls and shells you’d given him. It was full of ridges and jutting edges, rough on his palms and wet from the saltwater.

“Can I look now?” Billy grasped the object gently, trying to subtly get an idea of what it was. You perched your elbows on the rock by his legs, admiring his face for a moment. Part of you wanted to reach out, to feel the subtle on his jaw under your fingertips. But you resigned to nod and coo, “Look.”

He opened his eyes, the blue irises bright with mirth as they settled on the large conch in his hands. He laughed a bit, turning over the sand-colored shell and admiring it. “Awh, baby! Y’outdid yourself, huh?”

The sheer joy in Billy’s expression filled you with a giddy pride. Apparently the things you’d accepted as natural, common things were beautiful rarities for him. And the happiness you felt from sharing them with him never seemed to ebb. “I knew you’d like it.”

“I love it. I gotta get you somethin’ sometime, it ain’t fair.” Billy’s eyes flicked to you, holding yourself up on the rock and staring up at him with twinking doll-like eyes. Your chin propped up on your fist, your wrist bare. An idea flashed behind his eyes, but he played it off by shifting the conch to one hand, the other holding your chin and tilting it up to him. He leaned down and pressed his lips to yours gently.

You let out a soft hum into the kiss, reaching your arms wound around his shoulders to, with surprising strength, tug him down into the water. Maybe his clothes were getting soaked, and maybe it was a bit cold for a swim, but Billy’s eyes crinkled in a deep laugh, carefully placing your gift aside and pulling you close.

“I don’t need anything.” You protested, voice sweet as honey against his water-logged muss of hair as he pecked at your neck. The giggle bubbling past your lips told him otherwise.

You deserved the entire world.

Billy took much care in selecting a gift fit for you. A plain chain wasn’t good enough— well, frankly everything affordable in the market wasn’t good enough. He was beginning to think that no worldly gift was worthy of being ‘round your wrist.

Pearls seemed too on the nose. Besides, if you wanted pearls you would’ve already been drenched in them, with how common you told him they were where you’re from. Anything with shells or sea glass felt just the same— he wanted to give you something you’d appreciate as something new, the way he appreciated everything from you. Something special. Nothing seemed to meet his standards for you.

He nearly gave up, planning to try at the next port town and just give it to you when the ship docked back here. Just as he was about to make his way to the pier, a particular jeweled bracelet caught his eye. He couldn’t have imagined a better gift for you; a simple golden chain, adorned with three sizeable opal stones. Stones that shone like the scales of your tale, iridescent like everything about you.

It had been most of his salary. But he didn’t give a damn— it was perfect. You were worth more than gold or riches, anyway.

What was even more priceless was your reaction. Billy tread through the sand with his hands behind his back, staring at the back of your head as you stared out at the horizon, the stars coming down to meet the sea. When you felt his presence more than heard it, you leaned your head back to look at him looming over you, a grin splitting your features. “Hi.”

“Hey, princess.” Billy hummed, crouching to press a kiss to your temple before moving to sit cross-legged beside you. His hands were cupped in his lap, hiding the gift. If you glowed this beautifully in the moonlight, he wondered if seeing you in daylight would knock him senseless. You pressed a simplistically beautiful little peach shell into his knee with a smile. “Mmm, pretty.” Billy hummed, pride washing over you similar to the seafoam currently lapping over your tail.

Your bright eyes flicked to his hands, brows drawing together in an impossibly cute expression. “What’s that?”

Billy smiled nearly shyly, pulling his hands apart and lifting the gold bracelet laid over his fingers. Lying over his knuckles, the teal flecks in the opal caught the moonlight in a way reminiscent of your scales. The grin that parted your lips was worth every minute of searching, every penny spent. Your hand came up to cup over your mouth, regretfully hiding that smile as you gasped.

“Oh, is it for me?” You gawked, reaching out to trace a finger over the chain, a free hand splayed over your heart. Billy nodded, smirking proudly. You didn’t have this kind of jewelry where you were from.

You let him clasp the bracelet ‘round your wrist, you admired the way the metal and the stones caught the light. Oh, you’d never seen anything like it!

Finally, Billy could give you something equally special as everything you’d given him. He could finally return the favor of showing you his world. He wondered if the bracelet would bring thoughts of him to your mind, a smile to your lips, the way all your gifts had for him.

Billy could only hope to be half as preciously intriguing to you as you were to him.

[draco-after-dark]

Feral JD au - Brozone designs and concepts

(honestly not much changes from their cannon looks. Except for Branch but that don't happen for a while.)

Bruce's nails are all different colour because he lets his kids choose pick the paint

Shark tooth necklace

Wears his wedding ring on his arm so it don't fall off

Tattoos, right arm has a sibling themed one where the 2nd dot is circled because Bruce is the second oldest. Left arm has small heart tallies, one for each of his kids

Stills wearing the bracelet Brandy made for him when they started dating. (It's yellow and purple because those are their colours!!!)

Surfing scars on his legs from when he first started learning

Has earrings but you can't see them cause HAIR

Booty shorts

Toe claws

Fluffy arms, legs and chest

Wears wristbands because carpel tunnel is a bitch, ancle bands to match with Viva. They flex the drip together

Tongue piercing

Fangs + claws

Mane hair!!! so extra fluffy

What's a hair brush??? Bed head 24/7

Got some scars from the great escape and a chip out of his right ear

Stupid sweater romper (I hate it)

What are legs, mine left

Toe claws like Bruce

Many ear piercings

Fluffy arms + fangs

Hated the white hair at first but it grows on him

Partly shaved head, he wanted a new look

bobtail, wiggle wiggle

Gets the snazzy-est and most sentimental jacket on the planet

RIP Floyd with long tail because of the incident

Pointed pupils

Fluffy legs in winter

Hands got scared up from constructing the bunker years ago

Hair still black at the roots from being grey + colours still faded

Unironically the most like John Dory

Claws + snaggle tooth

Looks like the second oldest rather then the youngest (Big L)

Hug time bracelet from his ✨Girlfriend✨

Leafy vest, patchy pants and earrings

His pupils do the pointed thing when he gets mad

Height chart??? It goes JD, Clay, Bruce, Branch and then Floyd

Tail concepts and colour things

[corviiids]

ive never watched h2o just add water but im australian so close enough and i desperately want to know more about death note h2o au. how does light becoming a mermaid make him able to kill people does he just like start grabbing people and drowning them. does L keep coming up with convoluted ways to reveal that light is a mermaid (i would like to know if someone attempts to push him into a pool at some point because i think thats how h2o mermaids work like you. just add water™ and they turn into a mermaid right)

(this ask is referring to my tags on this post)

#i just looked in my notes and found a death note au of that australian mermaid show h2o just add water#in this au light becomes a mermaid and immediately uses his mermaid powers to fucking kill people#and also hes australian#and becuase he's australian hes not called kira#his murders were first noticed on nobby beach (queensland) (australia)#so hes called the ghost of nobby beach#or nobbo for short#because hes australian#does anyone want or need australian mermaid murder death note au called nobbo? why did i write this#when will i finish it

thank you for your interest and everyone else who has shown interest in death nobbo. this is a post about death nobbo, my death note h2o just add water au which takes place in queensland australia

they are Australian and live on the gold coast and light is a uni student who becomes a mermaid. because he is a normal person he realises this is his opportunity to kill people. he also has a pretty, shiny tail.

L is a detective whose attention is drawn to this weird string of drownings in Queensland, Australia. he comes down to investigate.

to answer your actual question:

light drowns people by waiting for them to go surfing or swimming or whatever and then flipping their boards etc and dragging them at top speed into a rip. he holds them down or tangles them up so they can't stick their arms up for lifeguards

L thinks it's sus that all these experienced beachgoers are making mistakes like this and that nobody's managed to call a lifeguard in time. a couple of lifeguards have reported seeing a bit of a commotion where victims are drowning, but get out there too late, and it seems like all of them are physically not able to hold their arms up

here are the rest of my notes in the planning doc and some excerpts:

L doesn't enrol in UQ (is light more of a QUT bitch) but does just like, show up? maybe he gives a talk? i think light is studying law because i want to be self fucking indulgent. so maybe L (via screen) gives a lecture for criminal justice students and starts asking people what they think about the nobbo murders. someone's like so you think it's definitely murder and not just people drowning? L is like you're a beach city. drownings aren't uncommon, but this many drownings from people who are all familiar with the ocean terrain and beach safety makes it very unlikely.

(translator's note: UQ is university of queensland, QUT is queensland university of technology)

He picks light out from the audience because he's already profiled him and they have a discussion

later on L shows up physically at the cafe where light works and asks if he'd like to go swimming. while light is working on how to get out of that one, L goes, oh no, I've forgotten my beach wear. let's go play tennis instead.

lights like internal monologue there's a surf shop next door. light yagami would probably just offer to lend L a rashie or say they can go next door to pick one up. if I take this out, will he thinks I'm suspicious? does he think I'm nobbo? but I can't go swimming or he'll realise the truth.

(translator's note: 'rashie' is aussie slang for 'rash guard' or 'rash shirt' and it's swimwear that is a shirt)

while light is freaking out, L is like, actually there's a mini golf place near mermaid beach I really want to try, so let's go swimming another time. light's like well okay

so they go have a gay game of mini golf. l asks light how mermaid beach got its name and if he thinks mermaids are real. they discuss nobbo.

why did i name him nobbo

misa is light's coworker btw. at some point she also becomes a mermaid and light has to stop her rom exposing them both because she is not very careful

light entered the pool alone so got all three powers - hydrokinesis, cryohydrokinesis and thermocryokinesis

and here's. fuckin, whatever

also the only important line in this au

[karlachismylife]

Hi hi! It's me again, i love to that i can be here for your beautiful work, now hear me out, what if, we think out of the box and look out of the animals that were familiar with, do you know what i haven't found yet? Mythical and folklore 141, a bunch of tritons falling in love with a surfer? A pack of wendigos that had been hiding until they want to be seen by dear reader? Omg such an abundance of mythical creatures to choose from! I hope it could help a bit, with love and care

~🐰❄️

Hello, love! Thank you so, so much for your kind words and the amount of inspiration you gifted me!!! I'm sorry I respond so late, I was actually thinking about your ask a lot. I wanted to collect some recommendations for you, but realized I actually don't know any fics like that? I somehow felt that I did, but either I forgot and will only remember later, or I made it up. BUT I do have one recommendation! It's not folklore, but I think it can count as mythical? It's this monster!au fic by @brineoffire that is inspired by @bluegiragi 's very famous monster!au (which I also absolutely love and recommend, but I feel like everyone already knows it lol). I also know that @forestshadow-wolf has some yummy kelpie!Soap, which duh, of course kelpie and selkie Soap fics are the finest.

However, this made me realize that I want to make a masterlist of recommendatons! So thank you for pushing me in that direction :3 Also - and that's for everyone - feel free to send recommendations of your own! I'll be happy to read and share! Self-recs are also very very needed!

Coming back to your ask directly, I actually skimmed through it at first and thought you meant tritons as amphibians and was like "hmm why not axolotls?" and then realized you're talking about mermen xD Which are always on top of my list of mythical creatures because I (in case anyone didn't notice yet) LOVE sea. And everything it holds as well. And also mermaid-adjacent oviposition.

By the way, a long time ago I saw this painting (TW!blood and gore, so not putting it here directly) by Sergei Kolesov of a whale-sized mermaid and it has been on my mind ever since, even moreso after I saw the Drowned Giant episode of Love, Death & Robots. What if they actually were of a monstrous size? If a normal, human-sized tritons/mermen with a surfer feel like a fresh, light, summery and full of laughter and sun romance, these abyssal creatures and a whale researcher (stranded in the midst of an expedition, perhaps?) would make for a hauntingly beautiful, thalassophobic story. A tiny human coming to terms with their insignificance in the face of the eternal, bottomless ocean and at the same time learning what's it like, to be loved by the abyss itself - to be cradled in hands as big as their little boat, to look in the huge eyes of a horrifyingly powerful creature and see mirrored reverence. To soothe scars left by something you'd rather not know existed, if it can harm these giants. Size difference who?

Surfer!reader and tritons/mermen of smaller size would be so fun tho. So much space for mischief and playfulness, strong tails flipping the board over, sunscreen smell mingling with salty seaweed. Drifting while you wait for a wave and feeling something brush against your hand submerged in the water - only to get grabbed by your legs next, because someone just can't leave you alone. Getting shells brought to you seemingly by the sea surf if you don't surf on a lazy waves day and stay on the beach, making sand castles. Being the wind to their waves, kissing the sunburns away from their noses, not used to being out of water so much. Making love on the beach and SUFFERING from sand everywhere. Laying on the board on your stomach and kissing the most beautiful creatures surrounding you like curious dolphins or sea otters, heads sticking out of water, scaly fingers in your hair, webbed ears fluttering adorably.

I would actually love to write a selkie story, since they are one of my most favourite sea mythical creatures and I've written multiple fairy tales about them (including a biopunk take, which I am still proud of), but I am SO sure I've seen someone metion that someone's already writing it... I'll put it in my recommendations list 100% when/if I find it. Also plugging this precious thing by @the-shotce-newsletter since I look at the chonky seal Soap almost every day for happiness boost.

(CW! dark themes including cannibalism and such in this paragraph)

I am a little hesitant to touch on the wendigos yet, since I am not sure I have enough cultural knowledge on them and I do not want to add to the harm done by popculture depictions of them, but I am a sucker for intertwining love, lust and cannibalism. Isn't one type of love exactly that - a desire to merge into one whole with your loved one, unable to be separated on atomic level? To consume, devour and celebrate the strength they gave you? Or - to give up yourself completely, to be devoured, to become that strength by burning in an insatiable stomach? What is oral sex if not cannibalism of sorts? The erotisism of letting someone to touch your heart not metaphorically, but quite literally... and the long, drawn-out way leading up to it, coming to terms with the initial horror until it blossoms into sincere desire? That is something to think about.

There's definitely a lot more to dig up in folklore. For example, the legend of Herne the Hunter? The antlers-wearing ghost keeper of Winsdor Forest, that is often linked to Celtic Cernunnos in modern re-tellings? Is reader seeking spiritual liberation in neopaganism, catching attention of the forest spirit in its hunting grounds? Or are they just enjoying the nature, not knowing yet that they're kept safe by a power as old as the oldest trees in this forest? Or! Maybe they're in a world similar to the Robin of Sherwood series (I fucking LOVE that series and I WILL cry every time I hear Clannad's theme song play)? An archer blessed by the Hunter (why not make it four Hunters? there aren't just deers roaming the forests, after all! but if I had to choose one, I'd say it's very Price coded) to fight for what's right?

Or maybe they're trolls? Cave-dwelling brutes, enchanted by your beauty so much that they take the first opportunity to steal your child, replacing it with a changeling, just to have at least some part of you close to them? What will they do though, when they find out that there's so much kindness in you that you're ready to raise the changeling, protecting the innocent troll child from the wrath of your husband that blames you for your newborn's kidnapping? Of course they have to make everything right. And also - take you away from the man that dared to be cruel to you. You'll find out that being a troll princess is much better than it seems.

Somehow I couldn't remember any suitable slavic entity that wouldn't have some already well-used counterpart (like vampires, water or forest spirits - somehow every single other one I recall is a female entity, wow, that's interesting). But I'll think on it. I like the general image of paradise birds with human faces, like Sirin, Alkonost or Gamayun (which are all female. also, I encourage everyone to check out this short animated film about Sirin, I saw it on a short animated film festival and absolutely fell in love, it's a beautiful work of art. english subtitles available!!!). So maybe the boys are of same species? Powerful, prophetic human-birds, capable both of luring anyone and bringing destruction with their voices. And you, coming to learn your destiny from them, or - offering yourself in exchange for salvation of your village. They won't take your life, but they will make you theirs. Every bird needs someone to sing to.

I do like presonifications of winds, too - not from any particular mythilogy, but just in general. After all, it's wind and sun we're caressed by the most in life, isn't it? And there are four of them, so you'll never be lonely, whatever direction breeze blows today. Living somewhere on a hill, where there's always wind rustling in your curtains, playing with your hair and drawing gentle swirls in the dust under your feet. Cool, breezy kisses on your cheeks - or pranks, when they bring a singular pocket-sized cloud to hold over your head and rain specifically on you? Do you dare to learn just how loyal the winds can be?

I think I went a little too serious, solemn and dramatic route with this. Maybe I should look into some little shits that just cause harmless chaos. But I will definitely put pins on every single idea I wrote out here - and everyone is welcome to tell me, which one you find the most interesting, what would you like to read the most; maybe you wanna expand on some of them? Or you have some completely other view on some of them? Everything's welcome! I loved thinking about it. Thank you so much for asking <3

I will also think about other COD characters in such AUs. Heh. My brain looks like a Chritmas tree right now, so many pretty lights glowing. Many tasty thoughts.

A bit of a later addition, but I suddenly remembered the Sandman (Sandmann) legend/stories/interpretation, and I am actually incredibly fascinated with him (I'm a little bit of a Hoffmann fan and I'm not talking about the Saw character for once, even though that's my babygirl too). I love the complicated relationship of humanity with sleep, dreams, nightmares and death he embodies. And honestly the eye imagery always gets me even though I don't think I mastered using it myself. Anyway, I think task force 141 as four different sides of this entity (sweet, calm sleep with nice dreams; insomnia and nightmares; heavy, restless, hot sleep like with fever/just too intense but not bad (potentially sexy) dreams; and finally, the eternal sleep, death) would be an interesting concept, but obviously it would be more fair to seek one of the German/German-speaking at least characters to take on this role. Can't really see König in this, though. But Krueger and Golem don't really strike me as Sandmann material either... and I don't remember any other German speaking guys...

We also have Orla "Banshee" Murphy in game already (one of my hardcore crushes btw, she's so my type), so, like. There's your banshee hahaha. I actually would like to try writing a banshee in special forces... or maybe IRA... they'd make a powerful enemy I think. With her destructive tendencies (I told you she's my type) that would suit her so well.

Also on the topic of my operator crushes (help, I'm really trying to stay on topic here) I am literally obsessed with Raptor (Natalya Orlova). I don't know what folclore entity she could be (well, could always make her Baba Yaga, but I'm afraid I see our little Yaga as too harmless of an entity, all those films I watched in childhood made her too lovable to me), but she would be fucking terrifying. She's from Kamchatka, and I am unfortunately not too well-versed in the mythology there, but my quick research told me that in that region people have a six-legged white bear demon Kochatko - considering that her bio states she single-handedly killed a white bear proving her hunter father wrong, that would honestly be a great ballad of a hero slaying the monster to take its place. Like Schwartz's "Dragon" play, but this time we spin it as a good thing, empowerment and reclaming of identity and shit. I'm already so far in this yapping aren't I.

There are so many other operators from so many regions I am not even remotely familiar with in terms of culture and folklore... so many opportunities... mm...

[tinydefector]

Lazing Lagoons

Merformers AU

Jazz x reader

Word count: 2.1k

Warnings: None, Absolute fluff.

Jazz masterlist

Full masterlist

Ask are open, please make,e sure to check my full masterlist and read my rules.

There will most likely be a part 2 to this

_____________

a human stands off to the side of the large outdoor rescue lagoon taking water samples, swirling them in little jars as they write down notes. They slowly step into the water in the shallow end taking coral samples and checking the few Rays which swim closer wanting a treat. The loud sound of water splashing has them tensing up "Don't even think about it!" They call over their shoulder.

A large webbed hand stops mid grab for fish in the bucket on the ledge of the pool.

The large silver and grey Mer surfaces, bright opal like optics flicker to the human as the Mer flashes a grins impishly, razor sharp denta flickering in the low light of the overhang. He swishes his long shimmering tail through the water as he drifts closer to the human who stands there looking mildly unimpressed. "Aww c'mon! Can't blame a mer for tryin'!" He calls back to them, energetically splashing tiny waves at their back.

Surfing nimbly through the shallows, Jazz zooms closer to observe their work on the coral, chin perched casually on crossed arms as he peers over the large reef bed, resting against it while he watches them with the tiny samples. "Whatcha got dere? Find any pretty shells? Ooh lookit dat lil crab!" His gaze darts around watching the crustacean quickly disappear before it becomes a meal.

A sudden flash of movement draws his attention a small silvery fish darting past. Jazz lunges with a playful growl, coming up empty handed as his prey slips through his fingers. Popping back to the surface, he beams unrepentantly at the human's stern glare.

"Aw don't lookit me like dat! Mers gotta eat, ya know!" Jazz swears with a wink and finger gun, before slipping silently back under the water to resume his hunt. In truth he wasn't that hungry but whenever he snuck into the lagoon he took his opportunity to try and snag a fish or two before getting scrolled.

They roll their eyes as a smile falls onto their lips. "You know the carnal isn't there for you to come in here you know, it's so the reef sharks have access to the ocean, and doing ocean releases." They state as they slowly move back to the bucket. Jazz waves a dismissive clawed hand, tails lazily keeping him afloat. "Psh, dem sharks ain't never around." fins flared and pearly teeth flashing. The human huffs out a reluctant chuckle, knowing full well he's the reason for the reef sharks' absence. “Uh huh, Sure you're not just spooking them to steal their fish?” They shoot back, refocusing on labelling samples, but can't help shooting sly glances at the spirited mer.

Jazz notes their amused smiles and beams, pleased as always to coax more positives from the typically stoic human. He swims lazily nearer, laying chin atop dripping arms as big opalescent optics peer owlishly up at them as the work. "Ya know, if yer ever feelin' adventurous enough for a swim with lil ol' me, Betcha ain't never seen the ocean reef like we merfolk do!" The offer, as always, hangs temptingly in the air.

They grab the bucket of fish and begin emptying it into the water, the small fish dart off in different directions into the reef, it makes Jazz's fins flare as his optics narrow as if on the hunt. "Don't eat them, they aren't for you!" They shoot back at him when he begins eyeing some of the colourful mix of reef fish, they splash water at him which earns a loud whine of a thrill from him.

"Awww c'mon, one lil fishy ain't gonna hurt nobody! But you're right, you're right..." he concedes with a sigh. Drifting back closer to the human who continues To watch him to make sure he didn't try and eat the fish meant for the reef.

"You know I swear I'm the only human who has issues with mer trying to get into pools, I swear if I ever told anyone about you they'd want to study why you're so interested in getting in here, bet Seaworld would pay me good money for you as an exhibit" they state in a huff, it was all talk, they would never do that, Jazz was a rather sweet mer, had surprise and scared the crap out of them the first time he ever showed up wanting to steal fish. It had shocked them even more when he had spoken to them.

Jazz at least has the good grace to look abashed at the chiding, schooling his handsome features into an expression of utmost innocence. Flashing a roguish grin, he swims lazy circles around the human, listening with keen interest as they speak. At the mention of study and dissection, his bioluminescent markings flare in alarm.

"Oh no no, we don't be wanting any a' dat study nonsense! Merfolk got our secrets ya know." He waggles his optic ridges. Boldly, he loops an arm around slim waist, drawing them close as a small collection of thrills and clicks leave him.

"How 'bout you just keep ol' Jazz your little secret, hmm? Then we can have all kinda fun exploring together without no pokin' and probin'." He rumbles softly, staring up at them with such optics that shimmer in blues, Greens and purples, it really did give the illusion of Opal in some ways.

After a moment, the human sighs, they flick him softly and turn away from him to put the bucket up. "So what can I do for you, and why are you in the lagoon? Did you drag yourself across the walkway to get in here?, did anyone see you?" They ask with arms crossed.Jazz rubs his forehead ruefully where the human flicked him, grin turning sheepish. Clearly his antics have piqued their curiosity or worry.

He swims a lazy loop in the water, gleaming dorsal fin cutting elegant lines through the water. "Well ya see, I MAY have spotted ya workin' over here and got a lil curious is all." He winks roguishly. "As for why I be here specifically..." Jazz casts a finned hand grandly about the enclosure. "Let's just say a certain lil reef shark was gettin' a bit big for his fins and I decided to, eh, relocate him elsewhere for awhile. No harm done!"

He flashes them a cheeky smile. "An' drag myself across the walkway? Psh, please. With these babies?" Jazz flares his tailfin proudly, fins flowing with iridescent light. "I'd put Aquaman himself to shame! Naw, I just slipped myself on through the current gates when the tide was changin'."

They glare at him " Jazz if you have broken the ocean grate down there in not going to be happy" they state while staring him down. Jazz holds his webbed claws up defensively, fins fluttering in placation. "Now, now, no need to be gettin' all ornery! I wouldn't do nothin' to compromise the barrier, I promise, I have claws i pudit back in place."

He flashes them a pleading look, big opal eyes widening in a manner he knows is hard to resist almost like cat eyes. Circling closer, Jazz gently grasps their wrist, feeling their pulse pound rapidly against his palm. He rumbles low in his chest. "All I wanna do is spend some time with ya."

Gingerly, Jazz lifts their hand to his faceplates, nuzzling gently against their fingers as his biolights dance an invitation. "Whaddya say? Slip in wit me, just for a lil while." Jazz gazes at them pleadingly, hoping his charm can sway them. They let out a sigh as they walk deeper into water. The lagoons were too shallow for a mer his size to be in there too long but he could still swim rather well throughout the lagoons Of the rescue facility.

Jazz's face lights up with unrestrained delight as they move deeper into the water so he didn't have to rest against the bank, willingly engaging with him. With chirps and whistles, he zips energetically around the shallow pool, fins splaying gracefully to manoeuvre his bulk through the tight space.

Jazz makes the most of it, launching up to momentarily breach the surface before slipping smoothly back beneath in a shimmer of chrome and azure. He circles ever closer to the human, radiating calm invitation. "Ain't this fun? Don't gotta go too deep ta enjoy the splash, eh?" Jazz grins, His optics practically glow with joy to have their focused attention.

"You're a pest you know" they state with a barely kept smile. As he slowly drifts closer.

Jazz merely chuckles softly at their halfhearted insult, spark soaring to see the smile they try to conceal. "Aw, but yer smilin' so I must be doin' somethin' right.” They nearly yelp as Jazz pulls them into the water only to land against his chest laying across it as the mer floats peacefully in the pool.

His grin flashes his sharp teeth up at their surprise face as strong arms encircle their waist, drawing them fluidly into the water. Jazz makes sure to keep their head above the surface, securing them safely against his broad frame.

"Oops, lil accident there!" He trills innocently, though his optics glitter with delight. Jazz gently cradles their back, letting them adjust to the cool embrace of the water. "See? Nothin' to worry about with lil ol' Jazz around." He rumbles soothingly, running webbed fingers in slow circles across tense muscles until he feels them begin to relax.

Floating was as easy as breathing for him, he held the human close yet loose, waiting patiently for panic or anger. They let out a grumbled sigh as they relaxed against his frame. One hand hangs over his shoulders in the water as they lay their head up on his shoulder as they both just exist. Floating in the pool as Ray's and fish swim around the lagoon.

In truth they did enjoy his visits, but they fretted over him getting caught by others. They doubted anyone at the refugee would say anything but they didn't want to risk him getting caught, money could make people do alot of things and they didn't want to risk Jazz's safety or his pod.

Jazz's whole frame practically vibrates with subdued joy to feel them sinking into his embrace. One hand rises from the water to gently cradle their back, holding them securely as his claws trail soothing patterns across their back. He nuzzles their head fondly, inhaling the soft scent as his optics close briefly in contentment. Floating here in peaceful stillness.

They cuddle into him. "Do you want me to come swimming with you tonight?" They softly inquire. When they speak, murmuring that tender question, Jazz's spark practically swells until he fears it may burst from his chest. Slowly opening his optics, he peers down at them with such caring and gratitude, it's plain for all to see how deeply he cared for this human and how much they meant to him.

"Ah would be the happiest mer in all the sea if ya did," Jazz rumbles softly, servo coming up to gently cradle their cheek. Leaning in, he presses a chaste kiss to their forehead with a tenderness that belies his brutal strength.

"But only if it's what you truly want. I'd never force ya or put ya in danger, you gotta know that." Pressing their heads together, Jazz cradles them as if the most precious of gems. All he desires is their happiness.

The hum softly against him. "I finish my shift in half an hour, if you can sneak back out without getting caught ill meet you over by the jetty in the mangroves" they mumble softly as they sit up against his frame. "I still have to feed the eels"

Jazz practically vibrates with barely contained elation, optics glowing fiercely as he gazes up at their darling face. All he can do is hold them tenderly and nod. Slowly releasing them to stand, Jazz watches with eager affection as they exit the pool. "I'll be waitin' for ya where the water meets the land, babydoll." He rumbles softly, spark thrilling at the thought of going swimming with them.

Surfacing silently, Jazz offers one last wave before slicing smoothly through the water back down the ocean gate to the reserve's channels, back out to the open sea. Here, under the dusky sky, he lets his joy ring out for all to hear in a joyous chorus of whistles and clicks. Stealthily, he slips into the mangroves' shadowed crevices, ready and waiting for them to finish their shift.

_________

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[danjaley]

Links to Simsxolove's Hair and Accessories

(EA Hair Age Conversions, BGC Hair, Accessory hats, some Clothing. Not covered are Sims and Wall-Art.)

This creator is no longer active for Sims 3 and their cc-posts have been deleted. This is a directory to their downloads. There are no previews in this post (it's long enough as it is). There are previews included in the downloads though, and it's mostly EA meshes.

This directory will most likely get updated in the future.

The links called "Dropbox" and "Mega" lead to the original creator's uploads.

Some files are backuped in this SFS folder (by @parystrange), these are named "SFS Pary". Links to my own backup folder are named "SFS Danjaley". This one only has files I couldn't find elsewhere. If any of the links get broken in the future, let me know, so I can provide a backup.

*Polygon warning: A user alerted me to high polygon counts on the following hairs: All IP BGC Hairs; CF MSS RoSweet; CF Store Fun Flower. These may have happened by merging morphstates. In general, the meshes are EAxis and therefore within the game's recommended dimensions. For alternatives, see here.

Abbreviations: A: Adult, C: Child, P: Toddler, F: Female, M: Male, U: Unisex. WA: World Adventures, UNI: University Life, SHT: Showtime, MSS: Mastersuite Stuff; BGC: Basegame Compatible

Original Dropbox Parent Folders

Hair, Clothes, Accessories (The folders Lots, Houses, Poses and Posters have been deleted)

Individual Sets

Basegame Compatible Hair and unaltered Store Content

(As far as could be found:)

Generations: Mega

University Life: Dropbox

Late Night Female Hair: Mega

Late Night Male Hair: Mega

Seasons Female Hair: Mega

Master Suite Stuff: Dropbox

Surf's Up Sun and Fun (Store Set): Dropbox

High End Loft Female Hair: Mega

Katy Perry Female Hair: Mega

Decades Female Hair: Mega

Movie Stuff Hair: SimFileshare

Island Paradise*: Dropbox

Island Paradise Part 2*: Dropbox

(Warning: All IP hairs have five-fold polygon counts due to an error in the conversion process.)

EA Hats converted Hair-to-Accessory

"Smoke 'N Mirrors": AU: Side-Cap, Knitted Basegame Beanie / AU+CU: Cat, Back-Cap): Dropbox

Knitted Hipster Beanie: Dropbox

Pompom [Toddler] Hat for AU: Dropbox

"Updated Hats + 2 Bonuses": Aviator (All Ages), Panda (All Ages); AF: Hippie Flower Headband, Bouffant Bun Headband, Mastersuite Bow: Dropbox

"Dehairified Hats for Kids": [Link broken and I couldn't identify the content]

"Hanky Panky" Accessory Hats. AU: Cowboy Hat, Military Cap, French Beret: Dropbox

Beanie by Nouk: Box

"Hats 8)" AU Baker Cap, Top Hat, Diesel Baseball Cap: Dropbox

"Misc. Hats": AU: Super Skunk Hat, Baker Cap, Baseball Cap, Diesel Cap, Top Hat AF: Mysterium Hat AF+CF: Side Bow; AU+CU: University Beanie. Dropbox

"Misc" [Backup of the last two Hat-Sets mixed together because I couldn't find the links first]: SFS Danjaley

Hair Edit Adult

Katy Perry Cookie Hair Edit (AF): Dropbox (See also here)

EA Hair Conversions Adult to Child and Toddler

Toddler+Child Conversions (Store Hairs. CF: Side Ponytail Chic, Pop Star Hairstyle, CM: The Roaring 20s, Knitted Beanie; PF: Side Ponytail Chic, Killer Curls; PM: The Roaring 20s): Dropbox

"4 Conversions" Store Hairs. CF: Pompom Hat (Panda), The Blake, Pert Pixie, The Alana: Dropbox

"That Boy"/ More Conversions. Hair AM to CM. Store: Duck's Tail, Little Louie, The Duude, AMB: Romantic, SHT: Blown Back Gel; UNI Beanie Loose: Dropbox

"4 More Hair Conversions" Hair AF to CF. SHT: Performer, UNI: Braid Band, Side Pony; MSS: RoBow. Dropbox

"Easy Peasy" Store Hair AF to CF: Bewitching Bun, Killer curls, Wilderness Braid: Dropbox

"Cheeky Monkey" Store Hair Conversions Pt. 2: Store Hair AF to CF: Over Shoulder Braid, Side Swept, Sitcom Style, Valley Girl. Dropbox

"Little Miss" / Store Conversions Pt. 1: Store Hair AF to CF: Braided Band, Hello Angel, Derby Delight, Modern Braids, Bountiful Beret, Dolly Darling, Bound Up Bows: Dropbox | Derby Delight Hat fixed (enabled all 4 channels): SFS Danjaley

"Random EP Hair Conversions Pt. 2". AM to CM. SN: Long Wavy, UNI: Fly Bangs. Dropbox

"Random EP Hair Conversions". AF to CF. SN: Bob Bangs, Princess Hair, Elegance, UNI: Braided Bun, Cheer Short; SHT: Ponytail Emo. Dropbox

"Pastel Crayons": AF to CF. Store: Brassy Lassy Bob, Can't Stop Cool Hat, Fortune Teller, High Bun; IP: Waterfall; MSS: RoSweet*; Basegame: Low Ponytails. SFS Pary |

"Snow Angels": AM to CM and PM IP: Wetmess; Store: Finsout, Loose Curl, Practical Curls (PM). SFS Pary

"Petite Princesse": Store, AF to CF: Dramatic Ponytail, Almost There Hair; CF to PF: Hello Angel, Braids and Roses: SFS Pary

"Snowfall": AF to CF Store: Funflower*, Wavy Bob. SFS Pary

"Toddler Conversions EA Textures": AF and CU to PF/PU Store: Pompom Hat Bear, Wavy Bangs, Wild Bed Head. SFS Pary

Clothing

"Polyamorous": Four edited Diesel Stuff Jeans: Dropbox

Hellokittysailormoon Leggings: SFS Pary

Adventuretime Leggings: SFS Pary

[lemonwrap]

I dunno if you take asks, but your Merman!Ghost + Soap AU is just mmm and I got hit with inspiration-

---------

Imagine:

Dog!Soap, loving paddleboarding and surfing, loving feeling the sea breeze in his hair and ears, the ocean being his place to relax after long days. Suddenly, a huge wave hits him out of nowhere, dragging him under, fast and hard. He thinks it's the end. Until this sleek, beautiful creature, with eyes as dark and thick as the night sky, grasps him by the hand and drags him upwards to the surface.

Months go by, Soap can't look at the ocean anymore, but he always, somewhere in the back of his mind, yearns to go out to a pier and jump in, go diving for the beautiful creature that saved him. He wants to thank him, do something for him, like any dog would for someone who saved them from the brink of death.

Suddenly, the nearby aquarium offers a new exhibit, only described in vague words and blurry pictures.

Price and Gaz drag Soap along, knowing he needed to go somewhere, do something, get out of the house, to cheer him up a bit.

As they make their way through the crowd around the large glass aquarium, and get right to the glass, Soap sees the same eyes he saw that day in the ocean, just as deep and enrapturing as ever, staring right back at him.

----------

And ofc anything can be changed if you want to write it-

I have no focus really to write it full out, but I also really wanted to share it somewhere lol

Omg, omg.

Ghost doesn’t even seem to see the other visitors once he spots Soap. He just stares past all the people with those pitch black eyes, intense and unwavering with zero doubt that he saw Soap.

Even Gaz and Price notice the merman’s unusual reaction.

“He noticed you,” Gaz says, then playfully flicks one of Soap’s perked ears. “Think it’s the ears?”

“Shut up,” Soap says absentmindedly in response to Gaz, not paying much attention to anything but the merman. He doesn’t look sick, but he looks unhappy. The aquarium’s water is clean enough, but it’s small and overly bright with no place to hide from prying eyes and the occasional flashing of cameras. The merman seems agitated, too, swimming in tight circles and scowling whenever the glass is tapped but repeatedly looking back to Soap.

They’d arrived in the afternoon, so there’s less people than at opening and Soap has a chance to get up close to the glass. He can’t keep his tail from wagging, but it slows when the merman doesn’t look any happier at his proximity, just more desperate.

“He likes him!” a young girl exclaims when she sees the merman pressing his palms to the glass, clearly the first time he’s bothered to interact with anyone. More camera flashes go off, and the merman’s black eyes squint, irritated by the lights, but he keeps looking at Soap, miserable and longing.

Soap hasn’t been back to the ocean since he almost drowned, but can almost feel the salt of the water in his lungs and burning his throat.

The merman saved Soap’s life that day, and he vows that he’ll get the merman out somehow.

[saekkas]

𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄

summary: rin's becoming more human the longer he's with you. he doesn't mind at all.

tags: f!reader, merfolk au, shark mermaid hybrid rin, human reader, strangers to lovers, fluff, falling in love, cultural differences, kissing.

wc: 2k

notes: i'm honestly very proud of this. i hope i did rinnie justice!

rin normally doesn't care about anything else but hunting, it's a given with how quickly he's growing. only months before his eleventh birthday, rin's already outgrown the other merchildren in his pod.

his tail is getting bigger, stronger, and he's starting to catch up to the wild orcas roaming the big blue seas which he calls home. it's a pretty thing, sleek and smooth but scaly.

black as the hair on his head with coralline blue and teal swirling up the limb, he looks like the fearsome predator he is. not only that, but his skin is also becoming thicker even his sharp nails can't scratch through them like they used to.

what he most prides in himself though, are his teeth. shark teeth are unique in the way they shred, falling out every year to signify their age. rin collects his, keeping every single one on his neck, wrapped around a long piece of netting he found near the shore.

he has ten wrapped around his neck, proudly showing off their sharpness and glimmer to anyone who passes.

the coral reefs are beautiful this time of year, they're teeming with life and growing into their colors. rin's laying among one, absentmindedly running his finger through an anemone, watching as the clown fish scatter at his motions.

the sun is bright ahead, casting a light that shines directly on him. he loves the feeling. basking under the sun yet not burning because of his skin.

minutes or even hours go by. rin can never seem to tell the time, not when the current flows through his gills. he almost falls asleep right where he is when a shadow passes up head. rin's eyes flutter open and it only takes him a moment to propel himself to the surface, his hands tightly gripping at what he assumes to be a seal.

he flinches when your scream pierces his ears. even though the sound is cloudy under water, rin moves back, letting his hands fall to his sides. his dorsal fin breaches the water as he circles you, keeping his distance before swimming closer.

only to receive a kick to the face.

rin grunts, feeling the telltale signs of a tooth shredding. he keeps it in one hand, letting his tail push him out of the water. his head pops out, bright teal eyes and messy flock of dark hair surrounding his visage. he's surprised you don't react as dramatically as you did.

rin isn't as interested with humans as the rest of his pod but he's followed enough fishing boats around to understand and speak their language.

he eyes you, stiff as a plank on your surfing board. you're a small thing, weak looking, and pruned. he wonders what you're doing out in the middle of the ocean all alone.

at first, all that comes out of his mouth are hums and growls. he's trying to communicate the best he can but when you start to lift a leg again, which rin thinks is meant to be a threat, he stops.

"are you a merman?" your voice is shaky at best, as is your entire body. your hands clench around the shells you've been collecting, ready to throw it at the unfamiliar creature. "my grandparents used to tell me about you. i didn't think you were real."

fascination replaces the fear in your eyes, and rin feels himself stiffen. you look to be the same age he is, and you have nothing to protect yourself with. he sighs internally, letting out a low chirp that you seem to perk at.

"can you talk?" you use your legs, kicking against the calm waters to bring yourself closer to him. rin leans back, cautiously flicking water at your face with his tail. you giggle at his action. "i won't hurt you. in fact, you're the one who could hurt me if you wanted to."

he calms a little at that. rin has always been the cautious one, especially with the way humans use their machines to trap his kind for amusement. he nods, pointing at you and then at himself, speaking lowly, "i thought you were a seal. please don't swim alone like this."

he dives back into the depths, only looking back at your form one last time when he hears you yell something at him. your name. rin smiles, clenching the tooth wrapped around his palm, and swims back home.

the seasons pass, the necklace around rin's neck becoming heavier as he grows. he's recently turned twenty-one yet there are only twenty pieces of his teeth dangling around his neck.

he doesn't wear the eleventh one because of you.

through the years, rin's become verily acquainted with your presence. friendship, you had called it. at first it was another accidental meeting between the two of you when he was out hunting near the shore. one thing led to another and rin finds himself too used to your laughter, the little quirks that you possess, and the differences between your worlds.

he's a full-grown shark now. his shoulders have broadened, his tail a sight to behold. he has the ability to roam the oceans, swim across the world, yet the waters feel empty without you beside him. rin has to shake the thought out of his head when he hears your voice calling out.

the waters of the open ocean ripple when you kick and slam your feet, and it has rin shaking his head. he launches himself at your board, hearing your maniacal laughter when he breaches the surface. he tips your surfboard, effectively sending you right into the water.

"that's no fair!" you push the wet hair out of your face, splashing rin when his head pops out of the water. "i never get to surprise you."

rin flicks his tail, sending a wave of water right at your face. he chuckles lowly when you splutter. humans and their need for air never seem to not amuse him.

"my brother can probably hear you at the bottom of the ocean with how loud you were being."

you snort, waving your hand nonchalantly. "i'm sure sae is comfortably unaware of my presence in his secret cave."

rin only chuckles at that, swimming closer to wrap a hand around your waist, pushing you up against his chest.

that's another thing rin has become acquainted with ever since meeting you. skin ship. the act of touching itself is uncommon among shark folk. gentle caresses and acts of service are reserved only for family or mates. with strangers and even friends, aggression is usually what he uses; play fights, hunting, preying.

and here he is, letting you touch him and take away all his time as if it were a normality.

the worst part about it? rin feels as if he wants it, needs it. he can barely spend an entire day without you, your smile and gentle touches soothe him in ways he can't understand. he hates to admit it, but sae was right. he's been too blind all this time, like a guppy threading through murky waters.

he just needs to own up to it.

"hello? earth to rin?"

his eyes come back into focus, solely fixed on you. there's a smile on your face, your feet softly kicking against the water. the sun is setting behind you, and rin feels his heart beat out of his chest at the sight.

he hums, a mere flick of his tail sending you both forward. he wraps his arms around your waist tighter, careful with his nails, and helps you stay afloat against the water.

he wonders if you can feel the thrumming in his chest against yours.

"someone's distracted today," you hum, wrapping your arms around his neck.

moments of intimacy between you are sparce but they're special, especially on days where you both want nothing but to float away in the sea. his nails, pointed and sharp, trail up your waist and settle on your lower back.

he's not sure what's making you shiver. the cold temperature or his touch.

"something special happen?"

rin nuzzles his nose against your neck, right where your gills are supposed to be if you were like him. a low rumble sounds deep in his chest, one you recognize to be a greeting. one he never forgets to gift you.

"i have something for you." his voice by your neck is low, deep as the ocean you swim in. you feel his hands roam down to your thighs, guiding them to wrap around his waist. when they do, you hear him sigh, his dorsal fin slumping in content.

you watch with amusement, lifting a finger to caress the limb. it makes him groan, wrapping his hands around you tighter, before suddenly diving down into the depths, bringing you with him.

his movement are fast, and you try to keep your eyes open, even when the salt stings. rin does this often. most times when he's flustered or something's bothering him. today, you assume, it's a combination of both.

when he breaches the surface, you inhale as much oxygen as you can. looking around, you see that he's brought you onto a small stack of land that's covered in sand, surrounded by miles of water.

"i have something for you," he repeats, his eyes unblinking as he stares at you. "i want you to have it."

you let him open your palm, watch as he drops a necklace decorated with pearls and a single tooth in the middle.

"is this," you gasp, looking at the necklace around his neck and back to, what is now, yours. "rin. you didn't have to."

"i didn't." he nods as he says his words, now shyly avoiding your gaze. his dorsal fin stands rigid against his back, his tail anxiously wrapping around one of your legs. he's so different yet so similar to you, in so many ways. "i wanted to."

"thank you," you whisper softly, leaning over to where he sits by the edge of the water. "i want to give you something too."

"what is it?" his tail flicks against your thigh, the texture smooth and scaly, hefty above the skin. it's a weight you're used to. a weight that grounds you. "i'd like anything you give me."

there's the beginnings of a blush on rin's cheek and you silently giggle, wondering whether shark folk are always so brash and obvious with their words.

"well, i'll hold you to it."

rin hesitates, freezing when you lift a hand to his neck, gently caressing the gills on the area. he blinks, as if in a daze as your hand moves to his face, lingering on his cheek.

he's never let anyone come this close before. you've never come this close before. it feels foreign yet so much like home. he sighs, closing his eyes and slumping most of his weight on you, nuzzling his face into your hold.

he feels you lean down and blinks his eyes open when there's a gentle pressure on his lips. it leaves him tingling and he looks at you with wide eyes. "what did you do? what was that?"

"it's called a kiss." you swipe the hair that's covering his eyes away, still keeping a hand on his cheek. "it's what humans do to express their affection."

rin tilts his head, his tail coiling around your leg tighter. "you have affections for me?"

"i do," you say before laughing when he coos suddenly. he dives into the water right after, hiding his blush as only half of his head pops out.

"i have affections for you too." the sound of his voice is muffled by the water, but his excitement is clear with the way he's shaking. almost like a fish out of sea. a rin out of his element. "i liked that.. kiss too. can we do it again?"

"we can do it as many times as you want," you answer with a grin, tapping your thigh with a hand. "i can't kiss you when you're all the way there, though."

rin waddles closer to you, pulling himself onto the sand. letting his tail curl around your body, he smiles with sharp teeth as you pull him into another kiss. he can definitely get used to this.

[thelastspeecher]

@elishevart

Ooh, I like that. All the merfolk have some red to their hair in merson form, but how red it is varies from merson to merson. Stan just sort of lies to his coworkers who are like "wait does your hair look a bit red?" He's like "you're just imagining it" lol.

Angie just so happened to be a merfolk whose hair color change is drastic. Which, again, she's not happy about bc she feels like it makes her look too much like her sister lmao.

As for there being a second secret merfolk form... I'm not opposed to it! But I do think I am stuck on their default being the traditional merfolk form. And maybe they can take a full sea creature looking form for like, long journeys or going into waters that are colder or deeper.

I was actually talking to my roommate about this last night, but I'm gonna go with the merfolk going full secrecy as a result of industrialization. Like, the merfolk interacted with humans, but once humans started razing nature and polluting the environment and exploring every corner of the planet, the merfolk decided that it wasn't safe for them to be interacting with humans anymore. They didn't want to be caught up in the human quest for domination and destruction.

Stan and Ford tell Angie this, and she's shocked but not surprised. It makes sense to her. She studied marine biology at college (and works in the field before she becomes a professional surfer), so she's well aware of the impacts humans have had on the ocean.

And it's a bit odd for her to begin to think of herself as now being one of those sea creatures affected by human activity.

[milliesfishes]

Enchanted (Part Three)𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

[fem reader] contains: kidnapping, prejudice pairing: billy the kid x fem reader summary: pirate billy x mermaid reader author’s note: based on my love @francixoxoxo 's pirate billy au- leaving the tag below. Pinterest Board Spotify Playlist

Every man had his secrets. Every pirate had his weakness. Both of Billy’s just so happened to lie in the same woman.

The limits of his heart knew no bounds. You were worth every lie, every hidden meeting, every second of his time spent thinking about you. Which, with the nature of his work, was nearly every second. His overall demeanor had improved significantly. He whistled as he worked, breathing in the sea breeze and feeling the sun on his skin. Even Jesse commented on it, teasing him about ‘meeting some woman’.

Whenever the crew came to port, Billy was bounding down the deck, shouting a hurried excuse to the crew as he ran to the spot on the rocks designated as yours. And you were always waiting there with the sweetest of smiles on your face. His girl, his beautiful girl.

You’d greet him with a nice, long kiss every time, much to his pure delight. Sometimes he’d strip himself of his clothes and come in, other times you’d crawl onto the sand of the nearby beach and he’d scoop you up in his arms, walking along the shoreline with you and enjoying the weight of you in his arms. You’d giggle in delight, holding him with your arms around his neck.

Oftentimes he’d just sit right in the surf, with the tide lapping at his feet, holding you between his arms. He loved how much you loved it, the simplicity of being near him. Often, you would bring him little things from the sea’s bottom. Shiny rocks and sea glass. He kept them all in his pocket, reaching to hold one on days at sea. It felt like receiving a piece of you. 

He fell more in love with you by the second, it seemed. Your beautiful, curious nature was his nectar of life. Though he was flattered by your attentions, he wasn’t sure why such a heavenly creature would pay even a modicum of attention to him. Billy was self aware- he knew he was only a pirate, with very little to offer. One day he worked up the courage to ask you.

“You’re kind,” you explained, tracing your hand over his chest fascinatedly. “You’re good, better than most.”

“How do you know?” he wondered, rubbing your arm.

Shifting in his arms, you smiled softly. “I’ve never met another human before. But I figure the stories exist for a reason. Some have told of the horrors they are capable of. My kind themselves are capable of so much hate for humans.”

Looking up at him with your wide, innocent eyes, you blinked doe-like. “You do not scorn the difference between us. You embrace it.” With that, you leaned up and pressed your lips to his, soft. “And I love you for it.”

Stirrings overtook Billy, and he brought his hand to your cheek, kissing you as gently as he could. Pecking your lips, he thumbed your cheek. “You’re a miracle, sweet girl. I love you.”

The sun sank into the sea, and Billy held you all the while, happy as a clam to be enough for someone so wondrous.

Just like every time, the memory carried him all throughout the next week, making him yearn for you. It seemed all he ever did was wish he was with you. 

A week later, the day before they were set to make port, he was spurred by these thoughts, working harder as though that would move the sun faster. The crew was more leisurely, much to his frustration, but he reminded himself that they didn’t have the same motivation.

Tying a line and leaning against the railing, he lowered his hat to shield his eyes from the sun. There was a shout from above, and he peered up at the crow’s nest. Dick was playing lookout today, and he was pointing excitedly at something. “Look! Over there, lookit that!”

Billy cast his eyes over the railing, taken aback when he saw a tail. A familiar tail. When he saw it again, he knew for sure.

He almost shouted at you, but held back, not wanting to reveal to the crew that you were affiliated with him. That could only make things worse for both of you. 

“Mermaid! Mermaid starboard side!” Dick was yelling down to the crew. Billy would have throttled him if he could reach. He tried to remind himself that they didn’t know any better. But then he saw a glimpse of you again. He’d know that shiny, long hair anywhere. That was his girl; he couldn’t let you be captured or worse.

“Nothin’ down here!” he called back up to Dick. “Think it musta been a dolphin or somethin’.”

“Naw, I saw it too!” another crew member was saying, hanging over the railing. Now Jesse was coming to look, and Billy prayed you’d have swum away by now, back down to the bottom of the sea hopefully, far from his captain’s gaze.

He should have figured with meeting you and getting to love you his luck had run out for now. You popped your head up, the sun making you appear radiant. When you spotted him, you smiled, reaching a hand up and waving, smiling in a dazzling way.

Jesse shouted an order to get the nets, and Billy grabbed his arm. “What’re ya doin’?”

His friend raised his eyebrows. “Catchin’ the bitch. There’re folks who’ll pay a king’s ransom for a mermaid.”

“Thought ya said you’d shoot anythin’ ya saw?” Billy knew you’d be able to swim away from a gunshot from this distance, before the ship could get closer. A net would get you tangled, and pull you right up on deck. 

“‘Fore last week I woulda.” Jesse kept his eyes on you, swimming contentedly and smiling up at the ship so innocently Billy’s heart ached. “But there’ve been sightings ‘round port. Offers have been made. Any one of ‘em could set us up for a long while.” He over, meeting Billy’s eyes. “What they do with ‘er ‘s up to them.”

Heart pounding, Billy looked over at you with wide eyes, trying to motion subtly for you to swim away. You tilted your head, likely confused why he wasn’t at least looking happy to see you. 

“Harpoon!” Jesse demanded, and one was thrust into his hand. He made steady aim, and Billy panicked.

“Shouldn’t we wait?” he tried to stall so you’d have time to get away. “She’s too far out, you’ll never hit ‘er.”

“Nah, I’ve got her right in reach,” Jesse squinted, taking steady aim. “There, right there…”

As he thrust it, Billy’s arm shot out, trying to knock his hand. But he was too late. The harpoon was already flying right at you, and he saw your eyes go wide before he heard the sickening sound of you crying out in pain. 

Face pale as death, Billy called upon any sort of higher power to save you, let the wound be shallow, a graze, maybe. His breathing was shaky and he tried not to scream himself. When he saw blood in the water, your blood, his heart nearly stopped. 

Only a bit of relief was provided when he saw your head appear above the water, your hand covering a gash that must’ve been either on your breast or beside it. You looked nothing short of terrified, and the betrayal written on your face was enough to shatter him to pieces. Billy longed to dive in the ocean and gather you in his arms and kiss away any pain, any hurt you were feeling. 

As he was seriously debating the merits, you sank back underwater, the sea swallowing the only treasure his pirate’s heart would ever desire.

Billy felt weak the rest of the day, feeling faint and moving hazily. He was practically shivering with rage and aching with sorrow. His crew, the only family he’d ever known, had attacked you, his girl, his baby, his everything. He hadn’t truly realized how serious the men’s thirst for mermaid blood was until now.

After making port, he ran to the beach, frantically scanning for any sign of you. When he saw the empty setting, he sank to his knees, feeling wearier than he had in ages. Was this what it felt like to die?

He wouldn’t blame you if you never came to shore again. Never associated with him, a filthy pirate on a murderous crew, never another person. Your fascination with humans was likely burnt out by the revelation of their true nature. 

Running a hand over his face and through his hair, the realization of his loss strangled his insides. Should have dove overboard, should have tackled Jesse, should have yelled at you to swim far away…

Looking back at the horizon hopelessly, he was surprised when he saw your head peeking up above the waters, hair fanning out behind you like a jellyfish’s tentacles.

Eyes widening, Billy got to his feet immediately, standing there on the shore. He wanted to run to you, but he didn’t know how you were feeling. The fact that you’d come at all was miraculous.

For a moment, the two of you were standing still, just staring at each other, the weight of what had happened heavy on both your hearts. The heartache in your eyes was nearly causing him physical pain. 

Then you swam forward. His legs moved before he could even think. You called out for him, crawling through the shallows. Billy was wading knee deep, splashing as he made to reach you as fast as possible. 

He met you halfway, falling to his knees and grasping for you, holding you tight to his chest. Clothes soaked through, he hardly cared. You were here. Billy pressed his forehead to yours, his hands on your face, smoothing your hair back as he looked over you, kissing you like you were an angel.

“Oh baby, m’ poor baby,” he choked, holding you tight against him, nearly in tears. “I’m so sorry my love. They’re all fuckin’ bastards, every one of ‘em.”

“I just wanted to see you,” you breathed, your voice catching as you wrapped your arms around him. “I found you…I didn’t know they were going to…”

“They’re pirates, baby; ruthless, awful men,” he breathed, both his hands on your cheeks, meeting your stormy eyes with his sky blue. “I shoulda told ya…didn’t even think…”

“No, I was stupid,” you sniffled, and his heart broke at how desolate you looked. “I knew…I knew not all humans were like you and I just…” Your cheeks flushed rosily, embarrassed by your actions.

“Ya didn’t know.” Billy shook his head. “I was the stupid one. Didn’t even cross my mind that you’d be able to find me.” The waves lapped at your bodies, bobbing you up and down. “Oh my love…my sweet love.” He swaddled you in his arms, scooping you up and standing, water droplets like rainbows sticking to your skin and making your tail sparkle.

Carrying you to the shore, Billy sat you down, his legs on either side of your body as he examined you, fingers wandering to check for injuries. Your hair was covering your breasts, where he knew the harpoon had gotten you, and his hand hovered over it. “Mind if I take a look?”

You nodded, and he pushed your hair over your shoulder to see. There, on the top of your right breast, was a deep gash, still raw from yesterday. Billy felt sick as he looked at it, his hand covering the wound and stroking the skin around it tenderly. “Sweetheart…is it hurtin’?”

Wincing slightly when he hit a certain patch of skin, you nodded slightly. “A little bit. It’ll heal fast though.”

“I’m so sorry, sweet girl.” Billy kept his palm over it, and you shifted comfortably in his arms, nuzzling against him. His face turned serious. “Maybe we should stick to the shores from now on, yeah? I don’t want ‘em to hurtcha more.”

You nodded sadly, meeting his eyes. “I just…I miss you so much during the week. And I hate that you have to have this secret hanging over you, keeping it from your crew…” The disheartenment on your face was a sorry sight to see. “It’s shameful, I know. Having a mermaid as your sweetheart.”

Billy lifted his hand to your cheek again, kissing your nose. “Hey. If I could show ya off to everybody I would. Not a second thought. You’re wonderful.” He smiled in a bittersweet way. “But I can’t have ya gettin’ hurt on my account. These are sea-strained men. All they see in somethin’s what they can get out of it.” His thumb rubbed your cheekbone. “And I’ll be damned if they hurt my girl.”

There was a fierce, raw protectiveness in his eyes, and you smiled just slightly. “You’re not ashamed of me?”

“Never could be,” he promised, leaning in and pressing his mouth to your forehead. “You kiddin’? If I could I’d be takin’ ya into the pubs in town, showin’ all the boys I got the prettiest girl under my arm…” he gave you a soft smile. “You ain’t somethin’ to be ashamed of.”

Leaning in, you rewarded his words with a kiss, looking at him so lovingly he could have melted into sunshine. Your stormy eyes were tender, and he saw a tear slip from the corner of your eye. 

Before he could reach up and brush it away, you lifted your own finger, catching the droplet. Reaching out for his arm, you turned your finger over, letting the tear fall onto a scrape on his elbow. With his own eyes, Billy watched the affliction smooth over, as if the wood of the mast had never marred it.

He looked up at you in astonishment. “They-?”

Nodding, you traced the spot where the scrape had been. “They heal.”

Billy frowned, taking your hand. “Baby you shoulda used it for yourself.”

“They don’t work on mermaids,” you said softly, and he squeezed your hand.

“I see.” Billy brought you gently to rest against his chest, tucking your head into the crook of his neck. He held you tighter than he would have normally, shaken by the experience of nearly losing you.

You laid there in his arms for awhile, comforted from the trauma of your injury by his love. He’d shield you from every horrible thing if he could. 

The day, as always, was too short, but the two of you made the most of it. He kissed you, snuggled you, swam with you…everything you wanted to do. Your playful spirit was back, and he embraced it with everything in him.

Usually on these hours ashore, you’d come to him with questions, things you’d been mulling over the week before about the world above. But today you were silent. It seemed you’d had enough learning about humans for now.

Your skin tasted like salt as he kissed your shoulder, moving your hair to sit over your breasts so he could shift his lips to the back of your neck. Billy hummed appreciatively, pecking the space behind your ear, hands splayed over your middle.

Sighing contently and resting against him, the light from the setting sun rendering you angelic, you played with his fingers. Billy loved the sight of you all cozied up against him. 

“I wish I could be everything for you,” you breathed, your fins swaying.

“You are,” he whispered against your skin.

“No.” You shook your head and he nosed against your cheek. “I can’t…” Trailing off, you set one hand on his knee. 

Instantly he understood. Smoothing your hair and resting his cheek on top of your head, Billy wrapped his arms around your collarbone, kissing the part in your hair. “Everything aboutcha draws me in. Ain’t a single thing I would change, baby.”

“Really?” You turned in his arms, lying belly to belly on him. 

He drew back slightly so he could look in your eyes. “Not a damn thing. You’re perfect. M’ perfect sweetheart.”

It was incredulous to imagine you ever being insecure about anything. Billy knew his girl was the sun and moon, and he could hardly imagine you any more perfect. You smiled at his sweet words and laid your head on his chest, closing your eyes. 

Billy was amazed with how safe you felt around him, despite all the horror you’d faced from those connected to him. But your natural sweetness and goodness of heart didn’t allow you to ever make such harsh judgements or scorn anybody.

You fell asleep against him, and while normally he would have woken you up so he could get back to the boarding house without arousing suspicion, tonight he decided not to.

He opted to hold you tight and keep you safe until the sun rose again.

You were full of surprises. Billy knew that well, and yet you still managed to shock him in the best of ways.

The week after you’d been injured, he went down to the beach as usual. It’d been a stormy few days, but today it was sunny and bright. Perfect for a day with you.

When he turned the corner and pushed aside a branch, he saw someone sitting on the beach. Billy could see she wasn’t wearing any clothes, and he paused. A naked woman? How had anyone else even found this little corner of paradise? But something about her hair, her build was so familiar that he moved forward. 

Billy’s jaw dropped. It was you. But instead of a shimmery tail, you had two long, smooth legs stretched out in front of you. 

Running forward, he knelt at your side, making sure it was really you. “Honey. You’re…you…”

Laughing happily, you wiggled your toes, looking at them fascinatedly. “Do you like them?”

He was too shocked to say anything, reaching out a cautious hand and touching your knee. There was a slight sheen to your skin, as if the scales had melted into it. “How…?”

“It’s only temporary,” you explained, bending and unbending one leg experimentally. “Just until midnight.”

“Why?” he looked up into your eyes in disbelief. Billy hadn’t even known it was possible to do such a thing.

Reaching out for him, you held his face in your hands. “I wanted to see what it was like. Be with you like a human girl for a day.”

“Oh, baby,” he breathed, unable to stop his slow spreading smile. “You didn’t hafta do that. I’m so happy just bein’ here with ya.”

“I wanted to know what it was like,” you ran your fingers through his hair. “To do human things. With you.”

Now Billy was holding your face. He laughed slightly, leaning in and kissing your forehead, then both your cheeks. “Midnight, you said?”

“Midnight,” you confirmed, opening your mouth and showing him a pearl hidden under your tongue. “That’s when the pearl’s magic runs out.”

Billy grinned, looking over you and remembering you were naked. Just as beautiful as you were with a tail. He looked at his clothes, then removed his vest, pulling his white shirt off and tugging it over your head, covering your torso.

You looked at him confusedly, but then it seemed to dawn on you that to exist in the human’s world you couldn’t be naked. Shifting a bit under the light fabric, you said, “This feels strange.”

“Doesn’t all of it?” Billy chuckled, throwing on his vest. His heart stuttered at the sight of you in his too- big shirt. Prettier than any fish, more precious than any treasure. 

“You’re right,” you smiled, and Billy took both your hands in his, holding them tight.

“You’re gonna stand up now, alright?” he waited until you nodded. “Count of three. One, two, three!” 

He hoisted you up to balance on wobbly legs, and you grasped his forearms as you tried to get used to the sensation.

“How…do you move…like this…” your eyes were trained on your shaky limbs. 

Billy held you steady, nodding encouragingly. “I’ve gotcha, sweet. Ain’t gonna let m' girl fall. Why don’tcha try takin’ a step?”

“You won’t let go of me?” you questioned, looking up at him with doe eyes.

“Never,” he promised, shaking his head. "Go ahead and try it out.”

Eyes glued to your feet, you reached one out, setting it on the ground in front of you and putting your weight on it, dragging the other to rest beside it. You looked up at him brightly, and his heart swelled with pride.

“So good, baby!” he praised, and your smile showed him your pretty white teeth. “Wanna try ‘nother?”

Nodding, you led with the other foot this time, holding it out in the air and catching yourself on the ground stiffly. Billy couldn’t contain his smile; you were too adorable.

He had you take quite a few practice steps before he let go, holding you by one hand now. “You can do it, baby. I’m right here with ya.”

You took to it like, well, like a fish to water. He encouraged you all through it, still holding your hand when you got the hang of it. Only a few times did you stumble, and Billy was right there to catch you, setting you upright and telling you it was okay, that you were doing so good and even humans fell all the time.

Once he’d deemed your walking acceptable, he gave you a kiss on the forehead, telling you how good you’d done, and led you through the forest area. You tripped a few times over the various roots and rocks scattered across the grounds, and he kept a firm hold on you, determined not to let his girl hit the ground.

You looked around wondrously, at the birds and bugs and trees, stopping once or twice to look more closely. Billy enjoyed your awe in the world above, answering every question you asked to the best of his ability. Eventually you made it to the hill overlooking the port. 

Squeezing his hand, you asked eagerly, “Can we go down, Billy?”

He chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, baby, ‘course we can.” Squinting a bit, he gave you a once over. “We gotta get you a dress first though. And some shoes.”

“I can’t just wear this?” you looked down at Billy’s shirt on your body. One of the sides had fallen off your shoulder, and he could see your nipples pebbling under the white fabric. 

Shaking his head, he fixed it so your shoulder was covered. “Ya look cute, but I don’t want ya to get any funny looks.” 

Shrugging, you didn’t put up a fight, letting him lead you to a little clearing. He gave you strict instructions to stay there and then went down into town, purchasing a simple blue dress, shoes, and undergarments. The shopkeeper, thankfully, didn’t seem put off by his selections.

Billy brought them back up to you, removing his shirt from your body and helping you get into human clothing. You frowned at the little half stay he handed you, tilting your head. “What do I do with this?”

“Here-“ he put your arms through the straps and laced up the back. “-like this.”

“Human women wear this all the time?” you asked incredulously, putting your hands over your breasts and shifting the garment over them. “It must be awful.”

Billy let out a laugh at that. “I imagine so. But it goes with the dress. Supports your, ah-“ he gestured to your chest. “-cause on land they get a bit heavy from walkin’ and such.”

“Oh!” your eyes widened as you grasped the concept, looking down at the half stay. “I see.”

He had you put the bloomers on next, which you didn’t seem to mind, since you’d never had anything below your belly before and you didn't want to accidentally flash anyone. Then came the blue dress, which had a wide neck and a ruffled skirt. Billy helped you into it and buttoned up the back, turning you around to see the full effect.

Of course, you were stunning. The dress accentuated your curves, and just made you look all around beautiful. He grinned, brushing your hair over your shoulder. “Look so pretty.”

“I think I like it.” You spun a little, liking the way the skirt twirled out. Looking up at him, you gave a smile sweeter than sugar. “Thank you, Billy.” 

He wrapped his arms around your waist, picking you up and spinning around. You laughed clear as a bell as he set you down. “You’re welcome, baby. Gotta have ya all dressed up for your first day with legs, huh?”

You toed the shoes on, bouncing on your heels slightly. “Restricting.”

“Don’t wantcha to step on any broken glass ‘r anythin’,” Billy explained, keeping a tight hold on your hand as you started walking again. “There’s a lot goin’ on up here.”

You stopped several times on the way to the town to pick wildflowers you saw in the grass. It wasn’t long before your free hand (and Billy’s too) was bursting with the colorful blooms.

He stuck a few of them in your hair and said he'd find a ribbon to tie the rest together with. You were transfixed by the flowers, stroking the petals gently. “I wish we had these.”

In town, you were a little shy at first, but curiosity won over, and you started looking around. All the people, market stalls, buildings, animals; it was all new and fascinating to you. After what had happened the week before, it was nice to see your lust for learning return. He patiently explained everything you questioned, telling you what each building was for and chuckling when you jumped back at the sight of the chickens in the street. 

“That’s where the fishermen bring their wares in.” Billy was pointing at a dock where bearded men were hauling nets of silver fish over their dinghies. 

“And they sell them?” you asked, watching the process.

“That’s right,” Billy nodded, proud you understood. He gestured to a stall where in addition to fish, there were lobsters and crabs for sale. “Over there.”

Your eyes widened as you saw it, and Billy quickly ushered you away, remembering your attachment to some of these creatures. “But that’s not important. C’mere, look at this.”

It was fun, showing you how everything worked, teaching you in real time about how humans live. You were immersed in it, clinging to his arm and walking tentatively through everything. 

A little after noon, the two of you had come to a stall of books in the market, and you were flipping through one containing maps. Fascinated by the illustrations, you traced your fingers over the pictured land and creatures. There was one of a mermaid, and you tugged on his sleeve, pointing it out. That made him smile.

“Who’s this?”

Billy turned to see Jesse standing there, peering interestedly at you. He tensed before remembering you didn’t look like a mermaid. You were safe. 

So, wrapping an arm around your waist, Billy pulled you to face Jesse, the book of maps still open and propped against your stomach. He told his friend your name, and you smiled brightly. 

Studying you closely, Jesse grinned in a way Billy wasn’t sure he appreciated. He took one of your hands, lifting it to his lips in a surprising act of chivalry. “A pleasure, I’m sure.”

“Charmed,” you beamed, and Billy saw that familiar light in his friend’s face he’d only seen when he was in the presence of a fair trader or when he was at the hull. You’d won him over.

“Didn’t know Billy had a girl,” Jesse commented. “Though, he’s had a way about him lately.”

“Really?” You turned to Billy, the news seeming to delight you. 

“Aye,” Jesse nodded, giving you a wink. “Never seen ya ‘round here ‘fore though. Ya new in town, lass?”

“Yes,” Billy cut in, and you shot him a grateful look. 

“Thought so,” Jesse nodded, gaze roving over your body. “Woulda remembered such a pretty gal.”

Billy moved slightly in front of you. Just a week ago, this man had lobbed a harpoon at you with the intent to sell you to the highest bidder. And now he was flirting. “Dunno ‘bout that, Jesse. You’ve got a new girl on your arm every time I see ya.”

His friend laughed at the subtle jab, raising his hands in a show of peace. “Aye, she’s your girl. I’m not doing’ nothin’.”

You merely smiled, innocent to the silent conversation the men were having. “It was lovely to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Jesse gave you a drifting look accompanied by that same sly smile. His eyes lingered on the healing scar just above your breast, the souvenir from your encounter the week before. For a second, Billy thought he would say something about it. 

But instead, he nodded, turning and leaving.

You looked back at Billy with sunshine in your eyes and he melted. Taking the map book from you, he set it back on the stall and put his arm around you, shaking off any bad feelings his captain may have left him with. “C’mon. Still got lots to show ya.”

A day ago he would have said it was impossible to fall more in love with you. But today he somehow stumbled and fell at what he’d thought was the bottom of the chasm, hitting every branch and wearing a stupid grin the whole time.

Over and over, he’d gush about how amazed he was by his girl. What he’d previously thought mundane was now joyous. This little port town that’d become so regular was now a whole new world. He was convinced you could brighten the worst place on the globe, make anywhere exciting.

Sunset arrived all too soon. He would’ve been happy to just go back to your spot on the beach and spend the rest of your time with legs there, but Dick had found them with his own girl hanging onto him and beckoned them into the pub. You’d looked up at Billy with shining eyes, asking if you could try that next, and of course he hadn’t been able to say no.

So now here he was in a crowded bar with you tucked under his arm so you wouldn’t be separated. He’d ordered a rum, knowing you probably would want to try it, and laughed when your nose crinkled adorably at the taste.

Billy took a swig and squeezed his arm around you, dropping a kiss to the top of your head. Almost his whole crew was here, as was usual, and they were looking at you fascinatedly. Your status at his side told them everything they needed to know, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t watch. He tried to remind himself that it was just the way you were, that it’d been like this all day. People’s eyes were naturally drawn to you, and you hardly seemed to notice.

The other reason for their staring could be that Billy had never had a girl like this before. He was famously alone, and the crew teased him about being a eunuch. But now he had you. Not just a girl, a gorgeous girl. If only they knew how amazing you really were. 

You seemed to delight in the lively atmosphere, twirling to the music but staying near. When Billy caught a drunk man getting a little too close for his liking, he pulled you in so your face was pressed to his shoulder, keeping his hand on the back of your head. At a glance it looked like he was comforting you. But it sent a clear message: that you were his.

Possessive, maybe. Protective, absolutely.

As it got later, the pub cleared out, and you ended up walking back through the streets, Billy's arm over your shoulders and yours around his waist. The moon was out, and there were stars both in the sky and his eyes. He pointed out a couple of constellations to you, and you hung onto his arm, listening contentedly.

Catching sight of the clock tower in the square, he smacked his forehead, remembering something. “Left m’ timepiece in the bar.” Billy looked around at the empty streets before turning back to you. “I’m gonna run back ‘n get it, alright baby? Stay right here.” He pressed a dutiful kiss to your hairline and jogged back up the hill.

Thankfully, the barkeep recovered it, handing it over and locking the door after Billy left. Sighing in relief, he flipped the pocket watch open, squinting at the numerals.

Both hands were nearly pointing up.

And he had left you all alone in the street.

Billy’s breath was cut short, and he shoved the watch into his pocket, starting to run in a stumbling way down the street. He nearly tripped over his own feet several times, the combination of the cobblestone and his anxiety not a winning one. The boom of the clock tower striking twelve didn't help matters.

How could he have been so careless? The alcohol and energy of the night, the excitement of having you there- it had blinded him, unchained him from the little ticking numbers at a time when he most needed to be.

It seemed he always turned to God with you, and here he was again, praying with all his might that you were still there, maybe kneeling on the ground, your tail tucked under your dress. Please let her be there. Please let her be safe. I’ll never leave her alone again. I’ll never do a bad thing, I’ll give up piracy forever just please let her be safe.

It was for naught, because when he arrived at the spot you weren’t there.

Chest heaving, he checked the corners and nooks around. Nothing. It felt like he’d run the length of the street and you weren’t in any of it. Billy knew in his heart it was pointless, he knew you never would have left unless someone took you. And your tail had reappeared by now, which meant you couldn’t run. He’d stupidly, foolishly left you helpless.

Maybe you were back in the sea? He didn’t know what powers the pearl possessed. Did it just transport you back to the water when your time was up? Rushing to the docks, he looked for any sign of you, hoping against hope that you’d pop your head out of the water and wave at him, your pretty lips forming the shape of his name. Then he’d dive in and let you drag him underwater and drown, dying happy in your arms, thrilled you hadn’t been taken from him.

Scanning the docks, he noticed commotion on his crew’s ship. There were lantern lights glowing from afar. That was unusual since everyone usually spent the night at a boarding house. Heart sinking, he couldn’t help but wonder if this and your disappearance were connected.

Running with all his might, Billy tried to calm himself. The likelihood was slim. He’d go aboard and the crew would be playing a hearty card game or placing bets. And then he’d resume his search, grateful you hadn’t been left at the hands of such heartless men.

Stumbling up the plank, Billy could see everyone crowded around something, shouts overlapping. That didn’t bode well. He pushed through them, unable to help his gasp when he saw.

You were tied up in roughened ropes, pushed against the port railing, squirming and trying to wiggle away. One of the men was stepping on your fins, laughing as you cried out in pain. 

Billy was frozen at the sight of you, his panic palpable. Your wide eyes found his, and he could see the pleading in them, the silent terror. That was what spurred him into action more than anything.

Shoving the man’s boots off your tail, he knelt at your side, ignoring the shouts and jeers from the crowd. For a second, he forgot there was anyone else there at all. No longer did Billy care for image. His girl was in trouble and, his occupation be damned, he was going to save her.

As he got close, you stopped struggling, instead looking up at him. He was enraged to see that they’d removed both your dress and undergarments, leaving you bare breasted and exposed once again. Not a bad thing generally, but a fearful thing in this group of men.

“Baby…baby I’m so sorry,” he whispered so only you could hear, hand on your cheek. “Shouldn’ta left ya alone.” You leaned into his touch, and he could see tears in your eyes, though they didn't spill.

His hands moved to the knotted ropes, starting to untie them. One of the men shouted at him. “Billy, the hell’re ya doin’? We’re gonna-”

“Let her go,” he interjected firmly, getting the first knot undone and working at the second. “We ain’t hurtin’ a livin’ creature to make quick money.”

Looking from the rope to you, he could see you starting to calm down. Trying to comfort you as he freed you, he murmured, “‘m here. You’re gonna be okay. You ‘n me ‘re gonna get off this ship ‘n neither of us’r comin’ back.”

Now the second knot was loosed, and there was one left. Loud protests still sounded behind him, and a few men even tried to grab Billy’s arm, but he pushed them away, solely focused on you. Already he could see the burns the ropes had left on your torso and his heart ached. He’d hold you all night if you needed in order to soothe you.

Just as he was about done, something cold and hard pressed into the side of his head. Billy tensed, slowly turning.

Jesse was standing there, pistol drawn and pointed at him. His face was rigid. “Step away from ‘er.”

“Like hell I will,” Billy spat, clenching his jaw as he looked up. 

“If ya want ‘er to stay alive, ya will.”

This voice came from someone else. Billy heard footsteps and saw the crowd part. The first thing he saw was the cutlass tucked into the man's belt, then the captain’s hat. He was tall, imposing. There was a hollow look in his eyes that felt like staring into the abyss.

Murphy. The dreaded pirate. True commander of this ship.

Jesse was the placeholder for him, the carrier of orders while Murphy remained hidden from his enemies in a supposedly secret location. And now Billy knew why the ship made port here every single week.

Lazily, his boots thumped against the deck as he came over. Billy stood, facing him at his full height, stance protective. When it came to your well-being, it seemed he couldn’t be intimidated by anything, not even a man treated by the crew as a god.

“Well, Kid,” the pirate laughed. “Ya got yourself into quite a storm here, eh? Kissin’ mermaids behind our backs.”

“Thought she looked familiar when I saw ‘er with ya earlier.” Jesse’s gun was still pointed at Billy’s head. He reached down and shoved your hair away, revealing the reddened scar over your breast. “When I saw this. Right where I hit ‘er a week ago.”

“You’ve broken code, Kid,” Murphy said in a gravelly voice, stroking the hilt of his sword. “Fraternizing with merfolk, not tellin’ your crew ‘bout potential profit…when Jesse told me his suspicions I came right over. Couldn’t miss out on a mermaid.”

“Highest bidders 're a day or two’s journey away,” Jesse said, nodding. “Your girl’s gonna set us up real good.”

“She ain’t somethin’ to be sold,” Billy hissed, gesturing to you. “Let ‘er be. Do what ya want with me.”

“No!” you were reaching out, grabbing his arm and tugging. “Billy-”

“Ah, she really does care for ya?” Murphy snorted. “How rare. Merfolk 're oft selfish beings.”

“Just let me untie her,” Billy said in a low, determinedly calm voice, holding out his free hand. “She’s not a threat. Me ‘n her’ll get outta here and you’ll never hafta see us again.”

He held Murphy’s eyes, and the pirate seemed to be considering. He looked at Jesse, who gave a subtle look. For a moment Billy was sure he was going to give in. That he’d be able to walk off the ship with you in his arms, safe from the bastards he used to crew with.

Then there was a punch to his jaw.

It sent him sprawling to the deck, and he heard you yell his name. Two hands lifted under his arms and started to drag him away. He writhed, trying to escape them, to crawl back to you. But another hit was delivered to his stomach, then his mouth. The heels of his boots clicked over the plank’s footing, and then he was unceremoniously tossed to the ground, landing on the cold wood of the dock.

Billy tried to sit up, intent on getting to his feet and running back up, when knuckles collided with his cheek, blinding him with white hot pain. The shouting from the ship was fuzzy, and he reached out into the distance once before his head hit the dock

Before he slipped into unconsciousness, he had one last lingering though of you that haunted his subconscious as his head throbbed. His secret and his weakness had, like every great pirate, lead to the capture of his treasure.

And gold and jewels had nothing on you.

Previous part | Next part

[punchspeedchunk]

So, This guy is the product of @dullgecko and I throwing around fucking Fantasy High College AU shit.

This guy was a nothingburger background goblin who accidentally grew a personality and then before we knew it, we had a fully fleshed out character on our hands.

So this is Dex, he goes to Riz's university and is the Goblin Riz becomes most friendly with (Out of the like... 6 or 7 that go there in various different classes). More details under the cut for those who want them:

This guy hails from the Mountains of Chaos, from a Goblin clan known as being cave divers/fishers, but he spent a fair amount of his schooling at a coastal town of Solace.

He's pretty gangly for a Goblin, his family is fairly sure they have a fair bit of hobgoblin blood, but no clear idea how far back. They're all pretty chill, they have to be to dive caves safely, and the amount of time they have been doing it means that he has inherited traits like retractable partial webbing in his hands and feet, and a flattened paddle shape to his tail tuft. He also has long, dextrous fingers and toes, and double fangs for cracking through crustacean shells and tough fish scales.

Primarily a Druid, he got into a few levels of Barbarian in high school when it became apparent he had a chill limit, and when pushed past it, his frenzies were pretty incredible. He uses his longboard (Dwarvish made) as a bludgeoning weapon. He can also wild-shape and likes to do water creatures the most, so occasionally if he's been drinking you might see a starfish riding around on a longboard on campus.

He also frosts his tips with a bioluminescent algae he cultivates from home, and will give anyone who asks a stick-and-poke tattoo. He knows most Goblin clan's traditional tats, as well as many Orcish and Genasi designs. He speaks Common, Goblin, Orcish and is conversational in Genasi.

His personality for the most part is extremely chill. He walks everywhere barefoot, and will poke holes in shoes if he's forced to wear them so that his toes and the balls of his feet can still touch the ground. Doesn't think much of hierarchies, considers everyone equal and doesn't really gel with authority figures trying to assert control.

Community is very important to him, he is the social glue in any given situation and is extremely good at de-escalation. Either by talking people down, or beating the aggressor into submission when absolutely necessary.

If he wasn't training into adventuring, he would probably be either a surf/skate/diving instructor, or a psychologist (or just both). As it is, he likes to get out in the world and meet new people, very much a wanderer, just in it for the journey and the people. He doesn't have a specific party, he likes to hop parties to experience new dynamics and people.

He might settle down if he finds a group he super jives with, but for now he's interested in advancing his skills (and getting Riz to fucking relax like holy shit this is the most wound up wired guy he's ever met... but to be fair the hyper-competence is legit, and he is forever offering Riz some of his best gorgonfern to smooth his edges).

[flurrys-creativity]

Ruthlessness

Pairing: Joshua Hong (Seventeen) x GN!Reader; Genre: surfer au, siren au, angst; Rating: nc-17; Warnings: mood swings, mentions of dangerous waves, powers over water, open end (depending on how you interpret it, he might die... he might survive... nobody knows); Wordcount: 940

Summary: Joshua loved surfing - even the most dangerous waves. Though the deal he struck to achieve that, might have been a mistake after all.

A/N: This is a deal I made with the lovely @arafilez who will post another version of surfer boy Shua!

“I can’t believe you made that!” 

Mingyu paddled over to the spot Joshua was floating with his surfboard. Once he reached his friend he splashed some water at him, laughing in disbelief. “How do you get those waves?”

Joshua laughed as well, shielding his face with his hands and arms. Yet he didn’t make any attempt to answer the question. Instead Joshua only shrugged with his shoulders, a soft smile plastered across his lips and a mysterious twinkle hidden in his eyes.

Mingyu hit the water one more time, nearly drowning Joshua with the amount of water he directed towards him. “One day I will know your secret! Might even take over and be the regional surf champion instead of you.”

Joshua’s smile dropped momentarily, a tense aura wafting around his form all of a sudden. “You shouldn’t try.” He stared at his friend with slightly widened eyes, showcasing the severity of his mood change.

A shiver ran down Mingyu’s back from hearing the ominous words, the sudden seriousness leaving a bitter taste on his tongue. “Dude, I’m just joking.”

Almost instantly the smile returned to Joshua’s features and the heavy weight that had pressed on them lifted as if nothing had ever happened. “I’ll do one more wave and then head back”, he announced, completely ignoring the past few seconds.

Mingyu watched Joshua paddle out into the open sea, not daring to follow him or address the interaction. 

As soon as Joshua thought he had enough distance to Mingyu he stopped paddling and took a deep breath. There was no way he could ever reveal his secret to mastering the most dangerous waves. Not without putting others into danger.

A dark shadow glided through the water right underneath him. Not even a second later the water started building up into a massive wave. 

Joshua barely jumped up on his board in time,  balancing himself as the salt water forced him away from the local beach. Yet, he wasn’t concerned, enjoying the ride instead. 

Soon enough he found himself nearing a secluded rocky shore. A few tide pools were hidden between the rocks and you sat on one of the edges of it. Your long, strong tail moved from one side to the other, barely gracing the surface of the ocean.

“Fancy seeing you here”, you giggled as you carded your fingers through your wet hair, looking him up and down and biting on your lower lip.

Joshua chuckled softly as he shook his head. “Fancy being here.” He held onto the rocks, looking up at you with a faint smile.

“You look worried.”

Joshua sighed and shook his head again. He averted his eyes, looking over the vast ocean instead. “Just wondering how long I can keep you secret.”

You pushed yourself from the ledge and plummeted down into the saltwater. A second later your head shot back through the surface. You placed your webbed fingers on the board, keeping you in place as you observed him. 

Ever since you met Joshua, you had become obsessed with him - his smile, his eyes, his manners, his voice, his passion - everything about him drew you in. He was on your mind the whole time and your desire to be near him grew even more whenever he stayed on land. 

“Is it because of that other human?” You tilted your head to one side, appearing almost like a curious seal with your large, dark eyes.

Joshua winced slightly before he tried laughing it off. “Mingyu was just joking. He’s no threat, I promise.”

“Are you sure?” You implored, reaching for his hand. “I can deal with any threat for you.”

“Don’t!”

You flinched from his harsh tone, using your tail to push yourself away from him and the board. “Don’t?” You narrowed your eyes, trying to suppress the twitching of your upper lip which would reveal your sharp teeth. 

Joshua never spoke like that with you, he never looked at you with such a distant gaze. It irked you that one insignificant human was able to change his behaviour towards you so drastically. 

A tinge of fear played over his feature, seeing your expression morph with rage. Before Joshua could even fathom his movements, he pulled himself up on the rocks, leaving the water. He stood there like a deer caught in headlights, staring down at you with new found clarity.

“I shouldn’t have relied on your powers”, he whispered. Joshua bent down, trying to release the securing leash from his ankle. Something inside of him told him to get away from the ocean as fast as possible - even if it meant losing his board.

“Get back in the water”, you hissed, holding one hand towards him as if you tried using some sort of force to pull him back in.

The water rose around you, lapping dangerously at the edges of the rocks and the sides of your body. 

Joshua barely kept his balance on the slippery surface. At that moment, looking into your dark eyes, a memory came back to his mind: 

“You’re way too nice. Do you even have an ounce of ruthlessness in you?” Joshua could still hear the words of his friends clearly inside his mind. Back then he had laughed it off but right now he wished for it. For a split second he wondered whether an ounce of ruthlessness would have prevented him from making a deal with a siren. 

He couldn’t find an answer to his own thoughts before another wave hit him and he lost his balance.

Maybe it was true what people said, maybe ruthlessness was after all truly mercy upon yourself.

© all rights reserved

Taglist: @xavi-in-kpopland

[inkblot-inc]

Surf and Turf

Summary: After getting both groups acquainted with each other, it's time to return to apparently not-so-missing isle...

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Mutant!TigerShark!Reader

[AU Masterlist] Arc 2: [Part 1] This is Part 2

Warning(s): Not much for this one, maybe keep you eyes peeled for strong language? It's a pretty tame chapter tbh

Note(s): We got another one for arc 2! There aren't as many interactions with our main three in this chapter, but that's cuz there's some other dialogue and exposition i wanted to get in there first. display some other relationships and whatnot. i hope you enjoy nonetheless :3

Word Count: a bit more than 1.4k

*squints* I give NO ONE permission to repost or translate my work. Make your own shit!

Both you and Sienna made your way back up to the surface, climbing back onto The Blue Delilah.

While the two of you were underwater, Wanda and Natasha had incapacitated the last two “attackers” and managed to tie them up.

It really wasn’t a fair fight with Wanda there…

The squelch of your wet boots alerted both of them that you made it back onto the boat.

Noticing Sienna behind you, Wanda and Natasha were both ready to get back into it, but you stopped them before they could.

-----

You hold your hands out in a placating manner, “Alright alright, hold on just a sec! everybody can chill the fuck out”

Natasha raises a brow before lowering the gun in her hand. “Hearing that from you? Forgive me for my surprise but,” her gaze goes from you to the rather unwelcoming woman next to you. “Negotiating has never really been your thing, Jaws.”

Wanda nods along, moving all the assailants’ weapons to the opposite end of the boat out of reach. “I have to agree.”

A small sigh pushed past your lips, “Fortunately, I didn’t have to negotiate much at all,” you rested a hand on Sienna’s shoulder. “Natasha, Wanda, I’d like for you to meet Sienna; she’s my older sister.”

Both Wanda and Natasha were struck silent by this new information. Cuz how to you really respond to that?

Sienna kept her arms crossed as she stepped forward, “We can talk more when we arrive on Enoka.”

Your eyes widened as you finally had time to connect the rest of the dots and understand the implications of Sienna even being alive. “You mean Enoka is?-”

A bit of a warmer expression started to break through Sienna’s features as she addressed you. “Not without change, but she is alive and well, yes.”

---

You’d went back to steering The Blue Delilah while Sienna untied the other “attackers” that Natasha and Wanda had put out of commission.

The three of you found out that they were members of Sienna’s guard that patrolled the waters surrounding Enoka with her.

The six guardsmen, three men and three women, had warily introduced themselves at Sienna's insistence.

They largely kept to themselves as they were a group of few words... at least around the strangers they were keeping the company of, of which no one could really blame them. They saw no issue in having Sienna speak for them.

Sienna had mentioned that there were pirates that got a little too close to Enoka's jurisdiction lately, and the locals were particularly antsy at the number of potential incidents in the past few months.

Sienna had to up the number of patrols they went out on during the day due to this.

While you, Natasha and Wanda had no real idea who these "pirates" could be, independent or affiliated, there were plenty of desperate people coming out of the woodwork for answers and solutions in a post-Ultron world.

------------

While the three of you were getting the full explanation from Sienna and her guard, it was unfortunate that they’d essentially cut their patrol off early to bring you back to Enoka. If Sienna and her guardsmen had continued their patrol, they more than likely would have come across the smaller boat tailing The Blue Delilah from a good distance away…

-----

The sun was starting to set when you saw the first bit of land; vibrant greens mixed with stone surfaces and accompanied by beaches surrounding the edges. It was like the familiarity of it was fitting together long lost pieces to the abandoned puzzle of memories you had.

“It’s just been here all this time and I didn’t even know…”

Sienna came to stand next to you, “But you did know, Y/n. Your connection to Enoka was never severed, that’s evident in you knowing exactly where she rests. You’d know if the island was truly gone. Eth lyon equsont' Y veah ys hyw ti okot uy' os goln ot ocem ckab su."

You rubbed the back of your neck, unsure how to give a full enough answer. “I was a bit preoccupied…to say the fuckin’ least anyways.”

Sienna merely eyed you for a second, giving you another once over now that she was closer. "Esod sith veah githanny ot od whit eth wot ahnum mewno tath uyo bugorth whit uyo? Uyor necst 's citapullryra tenetccandor no eth hedraed."

You clear your throat suddenly at the abrupt mention of Wanda and Natasha. both of whom were more than alert while keeping an eye on your other "guests" by the back end of the boat. "Somewhat. I mean, it's more than a little complicated, but they've both helped me. A ton. And their Names are Natasha and Wanda...... Natasha 's eth ostyn hedraed tath alos spaneph ot eb 'm niirfrgeld, sersit."

You glanced toward the end of the main deck where you caught Natasha's eye. Once Natasha noticed your attention was on her, she turned her head to face you. She wasn't the closest one to you at the moment, so it wasn't out of place for her to keep an eye and ear out for you.

Natasha raised an inquiring brow at your continued staring before you sent her a sharp smirk with a wink. You kept your body half turned in her direction before focusing back on the conversation you were having with Sienna.

Sienna observed the small interaction silently before she looked away from you and out onto the water, taking a second to think before speaking up again. “Sey, lewl, Enoka 's chum mesrall athn uyo ghimt bremeerm foeber eth ofdol." She let out a sigh before she turned and put her hand on your shoulder to get your attention. “Let me steer this thing so I can take you to the entrance.”

“The entrance?”

“I told you Enoka was not was not without change after all these years.”

Once Sienna took the wheel, the yacht was guided halfway around the island where a larger summit was seen. Formed into the bottom of the smaller mountain was a cave covered by the growing foliage. The Blue Delilah was steered into it before the engine was shut off.

“Your boat managed to fit in here, but you all will need to walk the rest of the way to the entrance by foot.”

Natasha was still on the cautious side, seeing as only one of the strangers here seemed somewhat trustworthy. “How far is that exactly?”

Sienna spoke up at the front of the group, “Not egregiously so. Many choose to just swim back and forth, but seeing as the two of you are merely human, walking is about the only option for you. We should arrive within the hour.”

---

As all ten of you left The Blue Delilah, you all made your way through the cave as it became a progressively tighter space to walk through side by side.

You decided to get a few answers while on your way; multitasking and all that.

After a while of walking, you came to what looked to be a dead end.

-----

Sienna, still in front of the group, waved her hand over the empty space, revealing ripple in the space that started to resemble a portal.

“This gate will lead into Enoka. You will have to enter one at a time since you’ll be unidentified in the passageway. It needs to analyze your signatures separately.”

You sent a reassuring look to Wanda while you squeezed Natasha’s hand. They were both still very cautious surrounding this entire situation. For you there was this inexplicable amount of trust you had. Whether it be from the nostalgia and anticipation of seeing your where you grew up or genuinely not sensing any danger, you couldn’t differentiate.

First went Sienna, then three of her guards, then you, Natasha, Wanda, and then the other three guards.

---

On the other side was beauty.

The landscape was, in fact, very different from how you loosely remembered it, but the view was one in a million all its own.

Half of the inhabited environs were above water; cabins, huts, and the like were strewn about and the summits surrounding them all had bridges connecting overhead.

The other half of the Island was also visible, but it was underwater.

Underwater, but not abandoned.

The were homes and buildings that were brand new shining from under the surface.

A good amount of them were made out of ruins that were apparently repurposed after the flood, but most of them were completely new and sleek.

In a way, it was like you'd never left...

Just like your connection with the hidden isle was never broken, so to was it's connection to you.

This was Enoka, your homeland.

** footnote: I wanted to use a completely different script for the Enokan language being spoken, but I couldn’t find a way to import it so that it was shown, so instead I made a simple code using typoglycemia (aka just unscramble the letters of each word). To make it so that it didn’t look as clunky, I sometimes replaced (i) with (y). Some words that end with vowels may have an apostrophe that takes the place of the vowel. Apostrophes can also be found at the beginning of words with vowels for fluidity’s sake. I didn’t think swears should be scrambled cuz that just *looks* off to me. The point of these changes is to have this resemble a spoken language more than it is a blatant tactic to confuse you.

Here's a word unscrambler in case you need it

[experimentfae]

BeachTown au howdy pillar x fem! Mermaid! reader x BeachTown au Wally (1)

Au created by:pinksugarberry on TikTok

You swam looking at the corals, fish, other seapuppets you are at under water city a place that you lived in you entire life searching for something new.

“(y/n)! You looked to see a manatee one of you’re best friends “Wilfred!” You swam towards Him “so what up (y\n)? He asked, you sighed “well I’m trying not find something new, something fun.” He chuckled in response “I get what you mean I’m trying to do the exact same thing.” He swam looking around.

“You found nothing?” “Nada.” You answered “great… I’m sure we could find something.”

both of you sighed in boredom, but then Wilfred looked up to the sea to the sun from the outside world and he got a idea.

“Ok crazy idea but… what if we went into the surface?” He suggested, which made you look at him like he had two heads.

“What?! But we aren’t supposed to reveal ourselves well at least me, you’re a manatee you supposed to be seen by land puppets.”

“Yeah but can’t merpuppets change their tails to legs if they are fully dry?” “Well yes bu- “exactly so you’re not scared are you?” He challenged you.

“What no! I’m not scared of land puppets finding me out or anything.” You lied not wanting to admit feeling fear.

“Ok then let’s go, I promise we will have fun you just have to do the talking for me, after all to land puppets manatees don’t talk.” He stated with a shrug.

“That’s true… ok let’s go.” He smiled and swam upwards, you hesitated but followed.

The more you swam the more you can tell that you both were reaching a beach area a town in fact.

“What is this place?” Ypu looked around amazed of the scenery you never seen anything like it. “I think they call it a sand city or sun place.” Wilfred replied also interested in the place.

“Hmm that sounds about right.” Both you looked around until Wilfred brought something to you’re attention.

“Oh right there! That’s a perfect place to dry off.” You looked in his direction to see a good place like he said. “Perfect let’s go.”

BT Wally’s pov:

I was about to surf again until I heard someone calling me “hey Wally can you teach me to surf some more today?” I looked over to see sally giving me a smile “of course!” I replied I’m always happy to help anyone that wants to surf.

“Thanks Wally, I been wanting to do a finally learn how to do the stand.” She stated with a smile. “I get it you do seem to be ready for that big step.” I agreed walking towards the water with her “but it will be tough.” “It’s ok I’m up for a challenge.” I smiled at that.

“That’s good to know.” We begin practice when I swear I saw a walrus and something with a shiny tail but sally interrupted “hey am I doing it ri- she dropped into the water making me laugh. “It’s needs some work.” I said between chuckles.

You’re pov:

You and Wilfred stood here for awhile to make sure that I became dry “any minute now.” You assured to him after more time you finally got dry and you begin to see your tail turn into legs you immediately covered you’re… parts

This made Wilfred cover his eyes, thankfully with swim shorts you once stole from another beach for the occasion.

“There we are.” You smiled you glad you found these shorts they matched you’re seashell top “alright awesome, let’s get exploring.” Replied after uncovering his eyes he swam I my o t he ocean to get to the beach side, while sadly you had to walk.

After a minute you finally got there and looked to see a back full of land puppets seeming to be there own things, you suddenly felt you’re nerves kicking in.

“Come on (y/n) don’t be nervous now.” You looked over at Wilfred “I know but… I guess I thought I’ll be confident enough but- “no worry let me take start then I’m ease you in.” He interrupted.

“Yeah.” He swam towards the land puppets as you watched him give his hello’s they all seemed surprised to see a newcomer.

You continue to watch them all until you saw you’re friend motioning you to come forward. “This is (y/n) she’s my bff!” He stated proudly which in return made you smile, he has always been a good friend.

“Nice to uh meet you guys.” You waved feeling still uncertain.

“Hey I’m barnaby.” “I’m sally.” I said my hellos to them until I got to a land puppet with blue hair and kinda looks like a cat but isn’t? He is cute tho.

Wally’s Pov:

Wow she is… super cute! I smiled at her “it’s great to meet you did you guys just move here?” I hoped that she lived here and of course it’s great to see new faces around here.

“Well… yeah we did.” (Y/n) answered making me happy “that’s great, want me to show you around? They both nodded their heads.

Now I got confused “but Wilfred you don’t have an- he interrupted me by showing that he can push legs out of himself, this confused me even more “what.” Is all I could mutter.

I heard (y/n) “no worry I get it I was surprised at first as well.” She assured me making me feel relieved that I wasn’t crazy.

“Ok then I’ll show TWO of you around today.” I chuckled leading them towards the beach towns.

Next chapter: to be continued

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